Nathaniel Stephens

Nathaniel Stephens (1589 – 30 May 1660) was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1628 and 1653.

Stephens acquiesced in the trial and execution of Charles I in 1649, and a few months later he was struck down with a fatal sickness, which gave rise to the legend of Chavenage.

[1] Henry Ireton had been sent to visit Stephens at Christmas time in 1648 to persuade him to acquiesce in the execution of the King.

In the New Year, Stephens' daughter Abigail returned home and angrily laid a curse on her father for bringing the family name into disrepute.

[1] It was said that at his funeral, a hearse drew up at the door of the manor house driven by the figure of a headless man, and thereupon the ghost of Stephens rose from the coffin and paid deep reverence.