Richard Aldworth (Reading MP)

Richard Aldworth (c. 1614 – 5 October 1680) of Stanlakes, Hurst St Nicholas, Berkshire, was an English politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1661 to 1679.

He was also founder of the Blue Coat schools in Reading[1] and Basingstoke, and fought in the Royalist army in the English Civil War.

[3] Aldworth lived at Stanlake Park at Ruscombe in Berkshire and, dying at the age of 66, was commemorated by a memorial in the parish church.

A kinsman, also named Richard Aldworth (1576-1648), by his will dated 1646 founded both the Reading Blue Coat School for 24 boys, and the Basingstoke Blue Coat School for 8 boys, the boys to be dressed in blue coats (just like those of Christ's Hospital in Newgate, London, of which Aldworth was a governor).

This Richard Aldworth was apprenticed to The Skinners’ Company from a young age, living and dying in London.