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)[1] was an English politician, military officer and peer who fought in the English Civil War. An adept and talented commander, Fairfax led the Parliamentarians to several victories, including at the crucial Battle of Naseby, effectively becoming military ruler of England, though he was eventually eclipsed by his subordinate Oliver Cromwell, who was more politically adept and radical in his actions against Charles I of England.
Fairfax became dissatisfied with Cromwell's policies and publicly refused to take part in the trial of Charles I. Eventually he resigned, leaving Cromwell to control the country. Because of this, as well as his honourable battlefield conduct and active role in the 1660 Stuart Restoration after Cromwell's death in 1658, Fairfax was exempted from the retribution that was exacted on many other leaders of the revolution.