HYDE, EDWARD, EARL OF CLARENDON, the third son 01 lieury Ilyde, of Dinton, in Wiltshire, near Salisbury, and Mary, ono of the daughters and co-helressee of Edward Langford, of Trowbridge in the same county, was born at Dinton on the 18th of February Ile was first instructed by the clergyman of the parish, who was aloe ? schoolmaster, and afterwards at Magdalen College, Oxford, where he was entered in 1621. It was his father's desire to make him a clergy man, but by the death of his two elder sons he was induced to alter his intention : the law, under these circumstances, was thought • more desirable profession; and Edward, under the auspices of his uncle Nicholas Hyde, who was treasurer of the Middle Temple, was entered as a student in that society. Three several impedimenta obstructed his early legal studies; the weakness of his health, the habits of his companions, and an attachment which ho entertained towards the daughter of Sir George Ayliffe, of Gretenham, in Wiltshire, whom he married in 1629. The death of this lady six months after their marriage blighted the happy prospects he had enjoyed. In 1632, having been three years a widower, he was again married. His second wifo was Frances, daughter of Sir Thomas Aylesbury.
After his father's death Hyde found himself in possession of such a competent fortune as to render exertion in his profession, in a pecuniary point of view, unnecessary. His studies however were not neglected : he devoted the forenoon to the business of the courts, and the evenings to taking instructious and other legal employment. It was his habit to dine, not in the Temple Hall, as most of the other students were accustomed to do, but with some of the many eminent friends whom his abilities and increasing reputation had attached to him.
In the spring of 1640 he commenced his political career : he was returned to parliament by the constituencies both of Shaftesbury and Wootton Basset, end made his election to serve for the latter. The question of granting the supply demanded by the king formed the principal subject of discussion. Hyde argued in favour of a grant, but was successfully opposed by Hampden. The king dissolved this
moderate and well-inclined parliament twenty-two days after its assembly. Hyde was named upon seven of twenty-one committees that were appointed. The borough of Saltash returned him to the Long Parliament (November 1640), and he laid aside his legal practice in order to devote himself exclusively to parliamentary business.
The earl-marshal's oppressive court was abolished through his efforts; he also attacked the despotic ' Court of the North ;' he was active in the condemnation of the judges' decision respecting ship-money, and took a share in the proceedings against Strafford. Up to this time he had acted with the more moderate of the popular party ; but now he thought fit to detach himself from these friends. Within a week after the fall of Strafford a bill was passed for preventing the dissolution of parliament without its own authority and consent. The knowledge that this encroachment on the constitution would render the parlia ment more powerful then the crown probably determined him to alter his politiml course. A conversation with Martin and Fiennes, in which these adherents of the parliamentary party expressed strongly democratic opinions, is thought to have confirmed his determination.
Ile now gave his support to the church, and defended the prerogative of the crown. Ilia votes and speeches soon attracted the attention of the court; he was summoned to a private coufereuco with the king, and received his thanks for the service he had rendered him. Ile daily increased in favour at court. An answer which he wrote to The Remonstrance' was adopted and published by the king in his own name; and so sensible was Charles of the importance of this paper, and its author's utility to hie cause, that ho offered to make him his solicitor-general. The office was declined, but a request that accompanied the offer of it was complied with, end Hyde counted to meet frequently with Lord Falkland and Sir John Colepfpper to consult on the king's affairs, and to conduct them in parliament.