Henry Benson (MP)

Henry Benson (c.1578 – 1643) of Knaresborough, Yorkshire was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons variously between 1626 and 1641.

[1] He was born the son of Peter Benson, a Knaresborough yeoman farmer.

He was re-elected in 1628 and sat until 1629 when King Charles decided to rule without parliament for eleven years.

[3] However he was expelled from the House of Commons by vote on 2 November 1641 for selling protections to men who were not his servants.

[5] Benson took arms for the King and in February 1642 was reported to be occupying Plumpton tower near Knaresborough with two cannon.