Robert Culliford (MP)

Robert Culliford (22 February 1617 – 1698) was an English landowner and politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1660 to 1679.

During the English Civil War his actions were mainly directed at safeguarding his property and cattle as he helped the Royalists capture Wareham in 1644 but then raised a force of 250 men in 1646 to blockade the Royalist garrison of Corfe Castle.

However he eagerly accepted a post for one of his sons at the exiled Court "as attendant to the young gallant there".

In 1661 he was re-elected MP for Wareham for the Cavalier Parliament after a double return with his brother-in-law Robert Lawrence, who had been a commander of the Royalist forces at Corfe Castle.

He was removed from the commission of the peace in June 1688 and during the Glorious Revolution he protected some Roman Catholic neighbours at Lulworth Castle when they were threatened by a mob.