Strafford, Thomas Wentworth, 1st Earl of 1593-1641
English politician

Born in London of a Yorkshire family with royal connections, he was knighted in 1611, and in 1614 became MP for Yorkshire. He was originally an opponent of Charles I but in 1628 became a Royalist. In 1632 he was appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland, where he imposed firm rule, his aim being to make Charles 'the most absolute prince in Christendom'. In 1639 he became the King's principal adviser, and in this capacity was made Earl of Strafford and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1640). When he failed to suppress the rebellion in Scotland which had broken out as a result of Charles's policies towards the Scottish kirk (Bishops' Wars, 1639-40), he and Archbishop Laud were impeached by John Pym, leader of the Puritans in the Long Parliament, and despite a famous defence Strafford was executed on Tower Hill, abandoned by the King.

Bibliography: C V Wedgwood, Thomas Wentworth, First Earl of Strafford, 1593-1641: A Revaluation (1961)