ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on Clement Ireton shaped, like his siblings, as a Puritan by his parents. Clement's background as a merchant with apprentices in London is considered as a context for his emergence as a leading Fifth Monarchist in the capital. Like other millenarians, Clement engaged with the Nominated Assembly in 1653 before being part of the Fifth Monarchist opposition to Cromwell and his Protectorate. Clement was an open opponent of Cromwell contributing to some of the central Fifth Monarchist works of the 1650s. As a Fifth Monarchist activist, Clement was referred to Cromwell's Secretary of State, John Thurloe, appearing in reports to Thurloe and his activities being made known to Cromwell, including Cromwell discussing Clement's opposition with his brother, John Ireton. Clement's involvement in Chancery proceedings that the Ireton family had been dealing with since 1515 suggests, like their interests in Highgate, continued contact through the 1650s between John and Clement. In 1659–60 Clement aligned with other more moderate opponents of monarchy such as John Owen in making clear their desire for an attempt to construct a broad alliance to prevent a possible restoration of the Stuarts. Clement was implicated in Fifth Monarchist plots after 1660 with radical republicans.
