Thomas Fairfax

He died on 12 November 1671, in Nunappleton, Yorkshire, at the age of 59.

Thomas Fairfax was born on 17 January 1612 into an aristocratic family at Denton in North Yorkshire. He was the eldest son of Ferdinando Fairfax, 2nd Lord Fairfax of Cameron.

He studied at St John's College, Cambridge, before going to Gray’s Inn in 1626.

Hailing from a military background he too developed an early interest in military affairs. His grandfather further motivated him to embark on a career in the army.

In 1629, he volunteered to join Sir Horace Vere's expedition and fought for the Prince of Orange in the Netherlands.

In the First Bishops' War in 1639, Thomas Fairfax raised a troop of Yorkshire dragoons to fight for the King Charles I against the Scots. The war, however, ended with the Pacification of Berwick before any fighting took place.

The First English Civil War broke out in 1642 and both Thomas and his father joined the Parliamentary forces. His father, Lord Fairfax was appointed as general of the forces while he was made lieutenant-general.

Both the men displayed brilliance in the battlefield and were commended for their discipline and bravery. Thomas played an important part in the defeat of Royalist forces at the Battle of Marston Moor in 1644.

In spite of their victory at the Battle of Marston Moor, the Parliamentary forces were unable to maintain their admirable performance in the following battles. Thus the parliament decided to form a new, more professional army in early 1645. Thomas Fairfax was made commander-in-chief of the New Model Army with Oliver Cromwell as Lieutenant-General in charge of the cavalry.

The Battle of Naseby, the decisive battle of the first English Civil War, took place in June 1645. The Parliamentarian New Model Army commanded by Sir Thomas Fairfax and Oliver Cromwell fought very courageously and destroyed the main army of King Charles I. Thomas Fairfax was given a hero’s welcome in London following his arrival after the victory at Battle of Naseby.

Thomas Fairfax is best known for the role he played in the English Civil War that took place between the Parliamentarians and Royalists. He served as the Parliamentary commander-in-chief during the war and led his army to a resounding victory over the Royalists.