The Lord Fairfax of Cameron | |
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Nickname(s) | Black Tom Rider of the White Horse |
Born | Denton Hall, Denton, West Riding of Yorkshire, England | 17 January 1612
Died | 12 November 1671 Nun Appleton, West Riding of Yorkshire, England | (aged 59)
Buried | St James' Church, Bilbrough, Yorkshire |
Allegiance | Kingdom of England Parliament of England |
Service/ | English Army Parliamentarian army |
Rank | Lord General |
Battles/wars | |
Signature |
Thomas Fairfax, 3rd Lord Fairfax of Cameron (17 January 1612 – 12 November 1671), also known as Sir Thomas Fairfax,[1] was an English politician, general and Parliamentary commander-in-chief during the English Civil War. An adept and talented commander, Fairfax led Parliament to many victories, including the crucial Battle of Naseby, effectively becoming military ruler of England, but he was eventually overshadowed by his subordinate Oliver Cromwell, who was more politically adept and radical in action against Charles I. Fairfax became dissatisfied with Cromwell's policy and publicly refused to take part in Charles's show trial. Eventually he resigned, leaving Cromwell to control the country. Because of this, as well as his honourable battlefield conduct and active role in the Restoration of the monarchy after Cromwell's death, he was exempted from the retribution that was exacted on many other leaders of the revolution.