Alexander Popham

Alexander Popham (1605 – 1669) of Littlecote, Wiltshire, was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1640 and 1669.

[1] On the outbreak of war he was colonel of the Bath Trained Band, the part-time force of local infantry.

After it served in the Siege of Sherborne in September 1642, he took its weapons early in 1643 to arm a full-time regiment of foot for Parliament.

[1][3][4] Despite his Presbyterianism, Popham's sympathies lay with the Army during the Second Civil War, so he survived Pride's Purge in late 1648 and – after the execution of Charles I and the founding of the Commonwealth – he served on the Council of State.

After the restoration of the monarchy, he made his peace with Charles II and entertained him to a "costlie dinner" at Littlecote.

Colonel Alexander Popham, of Littlecote, Wiltshire, portrait circa 1660-5 by Abraham Staphorst
Arms of Popham: Argent, on a chief gules two stag's heads cabossed or
Littlecote House, Wiltshire, the seat of the Popham family