The English General Henry Ireton
Henry Ireton was born sometime in the year in 1611 to German Ireton who was originally from Attenborough, Nottinghamshire. He made a name for himself as a general in the service of the English Parliament and saw action during the English Civil War.
At a very early age, when he was 15 years old to be exact, he became a gentleman commoner of Trinity College in Oxford. He graduated with a BA three years later in the year 1629 and enrolled in Middle Temple that very same year.
When the Civil War broke out in England, Ireton enlisted in the army formed by the Parliament and quickly distinguished himself with his exemplary skills on the battlefield at the Battle of Edgehill in October of 1642. He again saw battle in July of the following year at the Battle of Gainsborough. Because of the extraordinary capability and leadership he displayed in these battles, the then Lord Protector of England, Oliver Cromwell appointed him to the Deputy-Governor position of the Isle of Ely.
That was by no means the end of his outstanding military career and he later served under Manchester during the Yorkshire campaign and again at the second battle of Newbury. When Cromwell later brought accusations of incompetence against a general in that particular battle, Ireton stood by him in his claims.
Henry Ireton's military victories continued with his spectacular victory against the Royalist forces during the battle of Naseby, in June of 1645. He owed his victory in that battle to a surprise attack he mounted on the Royalist troops on the night before the actual battle was to have taken place. Thanks to the stealth and suddenness of this attack, Henry Ireton was able to capture many prisoners and this proved to be decisive victory in the war against the Royalist forces.
Oliver Cromwell was again impressed by Ireton's military prowess and the very next day recommended him for the commissary-general position in his army, with the left wing under his command. Cromwell himself took charge of the right wing. This two-pronged attack would have resulted in a resounding victory for the Parliament forces if not for the premature charge of the left wing under orders of Rupert. The result was disastrous; Ireton was wounded and later captured by the Royalist forces. It took a concentrated assault by Oliver Cromwell to route the enemy and they succeeded in freeing Ireton.
Henry Ireton was also a key player in the siege of Bristol in September of 1645 and led many successful campaigns that led to the defeat of the Royalist forces. He joined the Parliament as representative of Appleby and the following year, on June 15 married his benefactor Oliver Cromwell's daughter, Bridget. This union further solidified the bond between the two men and in the years until his death, Ireton's career became more closely tied in with Cromwell's.
Henry Ireton was also involved in the trial of King Charles, which ended in the monarch's execution. In fact, Ireton was one of the signatories in the death warrant.
Ireton died on November 26th, 1651 from an illness resulting from activities in the field of battle.
Original Authors: Doods Pangburn
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 25/07/2008
