Life
He was born in Knucklas, Radnorshire and was educated at Jesus College, Oxford. He returned to Wales as a schoolmaster (1638-9) during which time he was converted to the Puritan understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ under the preaching of the Puritan Walter Cradock and through the writings of Richard Sibbs (1577-1635) and William Perkins (1558-1602). In about 1639 he became an itinerant preacher and for preaching in various parts of Wales he was twice arrested. In 1640, however, he was not punished and during the Civil War he preached in and around London.
On the 26th December 1641 he was teaching the word of God in Llanyrne Parish Church in Ross when he was forcibly removed by Hugh Lloyd and twelve armed men and imprisoned.In 1646, when Parliament's victory was certain, Powell returned to Wales having received a "certificate of character" from the Westminster Assembly, although he had refused to be ordained by the Presbyterians. With a salary granted to him by parliament he resumed his itinerant preaching in Wales.
In 1650 Parliament appointed a commission for the better propagation and preaching of the gospel in Wales with Powell acting as one of the principal advisers of this body. For three years he was actively employed in removing from their parishes those ministers whom he regarded as incompetent. In 1653 he returned to London to preach at St Ann Blackfriars after the death of their pastor, William Gouge. Having denounced Cromwell for accepting the office of Lord Protector, he was imprisoned.
At the Restoration in 1660 he was arrested for preaching, after a short period of freedom he was once again seized and incarcerated, remaining in prison for seven years. He was set free in 1667, however, in the following year he was again imprisoned and was in custody until his death on 27 October 1670. Powell is buried at Bunhill Fields cemetery.
On July 18, 1660 the Council of King Charles II issued an order to Sir Matthew Price, High Sheriff of Montgomeryshire to take into safe custody Vavasour Powell (described as, "a most factious and dangerous minister"), Sir Richard Saltonstall, and Richard Price of Aberbechan.
According to Sir Matthew Price's letters to Secretary Nicholas, Vavasour Powell, Sir Richard Saltonstall and Richard Price were concerned in a plot to depose King Charles II. Letters were found in their possession indicating the plot extended all the way to London. By August 2, 1660 Vavasour Powell was taken into custody, while Sir Richard Saltonstall and Capt. Richard Price "had left these parts" .
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