Strafford, Thomas Wentworth, earl of, 1593-1641

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The complex political career of Thomas Wentworth Strafford began in Parliament, where he opposed war with Spain. After losing influence, he realigned himself in support of King Charles I, and was made baron and viscount and ultimately Lord Deputy of Ireland. His success in Ireland was marred by ruthless methods, contributing to his lack of popularity among his peers. Recalled by Charles as an advisor in the war with Scotland, Strafford was accused of treason and beheaded on 12 May 1641, with Charles' reluctant approval.

From the description of Thomas Wentworth Strafford letter to King Charles I, 1641 May 4. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 50999211

English statesman.

Leading adviser of Englands King Charles I. His attempt to consolidate the sovereign power of the king led to his impeachment and execution by Parliament.

From the description of The papers of Thomas Wentworth, 1st earl of Strafford, 1593-1641 microform : from Sheffield City Libraries. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 238849803

Viscount Wentworth, a supporter of royal prerogative, became lord-deputy of IRELAND in 1632. He was a firm ruler, instituting economic and political reforms, and making enemies. In 1640 he became the King's chief advisor, and was created Earl of Strafford; he planned to bring the Irish army against the Scots, encouraged despotic actions, and was a threat to Commons. On November 11 1640 Commons resolved to accuse him of high treason, and on November 20 produced 10 articles of accusation; on January 28, 1641 the committee handling the affair produced a revised, 28-article, version, and sent it to the Lords as the basis of a charge of impeachment to be brought by Commons in the Lords against Strafford. On February 23 Strafford gave his answer to each article to the Lords, which returned the answers to Commons.

On March 22, 1641 the trial began in the Lords (Commons attending as a committee of the whole); on April 21 the trial was broken off because of dissension between the Lords and the Commons. Commons thereupon passed a Bill of Attainder against Strafford, which the Lords passed on May 8; the King assented under pressure on May 10; Strafford was executed on May 11. [Based on Rushworth's Trial of Stafford, 1680; State Trials, 1776, vol.1 cols 723-753; DNB; Journals of Commons and Lords]

From the guide to the Article of impeachment brought by Commons against Strafford, with his answers, and proofs for each article., February 1641 or later, (University of Kansas Kenneth Spencer Research Library Department of Special Collections)

Viscount Wentworth, a supporter of royal prerogative, became lord-deputy of Ireland in 1632. He was a firm ruler, instituting economic and political reforms, and making enemies. In 1640 he became the King's chief advisor, and was created Earl of Strafford; he planned to bring the Irish army against the Scots, encouraged despotic actions, and was a threat to Commons. On November 11 1640 Commons resolved to accuse him of high treason, and on November 20 produced 10 articles of accusation; on January 28, 1641 the committee handling the affair produced a revised, 28-article, version, and sent it to the Lords as the basis of a charge of impeachment to be brought by Commons in the Lords against Strafford. On February 23 Strafford gave his answer to each article to the Lords, which returned the answers to Commons.

On March 22, 1641 the trial began in the Lords (Commons attending as a committee of the whole); on April 21 the trial was broken off because of dissension between the Lords and the Commons. Commons thereupon passed a Bill of Attainder against Strafford, which the Lords passed on May 8; the King assented under pressure on May 10; Strafford was executed on May 11.

From the guide to the Briefe of the charge against the Earle of Strafforde; and of his answer thereto., February 1641 or later, (University of Kansas Kenneth Spencer Research Library Department of Special Collections)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Strafford, Thomas Wentworth, Earl of, 1593-1641. Documents signed (2) as Wentworth : [n.p.], 1635 Sept. 20. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn England and Wales. Parliament (1628). [Collection of speeches and passages propounded and discussed at the third parliament of Charles I], [1627 Mar 17 - 1628 June 26]. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn [Political miscellany], [17th century]. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn University of Chicago. Library. Special Collections Research Center. Le merite in fortuné : manuscript, 1688. University of Chicago Library
creatorOf Strafford, Thomas Wentworth, Earl of, 1593-1641. Thomas Wentworth Strafford letter to King Charles I, 1641 May 4. Pennsylvania State University Libraries
referencedIn Denham, John, Sir, 1615-1669. Commonplace book : materials concerning Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford : manuscript, [after 1640] Houghton Library
creatorOf Strafford, Thomas Wentworth, Earl of, 1593-1641. Document signed : York, 1630 Sept. 23. Pierpont Morgan Library.
referencedIn Nottingham, Heneage Finch, Earl of, 1621-1682. [Treatise on the King's power of granting pardons], 1725. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Speeches made & delivered in the 2d Assembly of that great and memorable Parlamente wch began on ye 25th of November Anno Dom. 1640 : Together with some verses and other thinges of that 1st yeare. And also the manner of holdinge a parlamente in Englande, [ca. 1641]. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Strafford, Thomas Wentworth, Earl of, 1593-1641,. Charges at Staffordshire sessions, ca. 1675-1725. Harvard Law School Library Langdell Hall Cambridge, MA 02138
referencedIn Stanley, Thomas, 1625-1678. Divine poems, 17th century. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn To his sacred maiestie : the humble petition of his nobilitie of England, [1621]. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Radcliffe, George, Sir, 1593-1657. Copy of letters between Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford, and Sir George Radcliffe, 1641 [manuscript], 17th century. Folger Shakespeare Library
creatorOf The further impeachm[superscript t]. [i. e. impeachment] of Thomas, Earle of Strafford by the Commons assembled in Parliament [microform]. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Radcliffe, George, Sir, 1593-1657,. Copy of note from Sir George Radcliffe to Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford, October 28, 1640 [manuscript], 1640. Folger Shakespeare Library
referencedIn Browne, John, 1608?-1691. [Miscellaneous Parliamentary manuscripts], [17th century]. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn [Seventeenth century manuscript poems], [ca. 1636-1680]. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Cartwright, William. Commonplace book, 1651-1661. Smith College, Neilson Library
referencedIn University of Chicago. Library. Special Collections Research Center. Le merite in fortuné : manuscript, 1688. Texas Christian University
creatorOf Strafford, Thomas Wentworth, Earl of, 1593-1641. [Letter, 1633 June 15, Westminster, to "My very good lorde"] [manuscript]. University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign
creatorOf [Collection of prints, letters, and printed ephemera pertaining to the Earl of Strafford], 1630-1641 Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Article of impeachment brought by Commons against Strafford, with his answers, and proofs for each article., February 1641 or later University of Kansas Kenneth Spencer Research Library Department of Special Collections
referencedIn Radcliffe, George, Sir, 1593-1657,. Letters to and from Sir George Radcliffe [manuscript], 1628-1641. Folger Shakespeare Library
referencedIn England and Wales. Parliament (1628). [Speeches and arguments before a committee of both houses of parliament concerning the rights and privileges of the subjects], [April to June, 1628]. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Strafford, Thomas Wentworth, Earl of, 1593-1641,. This volume containinge the proceedings of Parliament against Thomas Wentworth Earle of Strafford : Together with his tryall wherein is discovered the whole course of his government, his execution, and his end. University of California, Los Angeles
referencedIn Conway of Conway Castle, Edward Conway, Viscount, 1594-1655. The Lord Conwaie's relation concerning the passages in the late northern expedition, ca. 1640. Duke University Libraries, Duke University Library; Perkins Library
referencedIn England and Wales. Parliament (1640). House of Lords. [Journal of the House of Lords], [1640/1 Mar 10 - 1641 Jun 17]. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Johnsonian Miscellanies, extra-illustrated, 1538-1900 (inclusive);, 1738-1866 (bulk). Houghton Library
creatorOf Briefe of the charge against the Earle of Strafforde; and of his answer thereto., February 1641 or later University of Kansas Kenneth Spencer Research Library Department of Special Collections
referencedIn England and Wales. Parliament. Transactions of Parliament : manuscript, [16--] Houghton Library
creatorOf Strafford, Thomas Wentworth, Earl of, 1593-1641. The papers of Thomas Wentworth, 1st earl of Strafford, 1593-1641 microform : from Sheffield City Libraries. HCL Technical Services, Harvard College Library
referencedIn Cleveland, John, 1613-1658. Satirical verse, 1630-1688. Pennsylvania State University Libraries
referencedIn Lennard, Samson, d. 1633. Visitation of Leicestershire [manuscript], 1619. Folger Shakespeare Library
referencedIn Parker Family. Newsletters, 1635-1693. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
referencedIn England and Wales. Parliament. [Parliamentary speeches and two treatises], 17th century. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
referencedIn Wright, Abraham, 1611-1690. Novissima Straffordii, sive Quaestio Straffordiana [manuscript], ca. 1650. Folger Shakespeare Library
referencedIn Browne, John, 1608?-1691. Parliamentary speeches, negotiations, etc., 1599-1641. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
creatorOf Strafford, Thomas Wentworth, Earl of, 1593-1641,. Autograph letter from Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford, to Sir George Radcliffe [manuscript], 1640 November 5. Folger Shakespeare Library
referencedIn England and Wales. Parliament. House of Lords. Proceedings against Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford : manuscript, [16--] Houghton Library
referencedIn Collection of political treatises, ca. 1640. Houghton Library
referencedIn [Collection of poetry], [ca. 1650-ca. 1760]. Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Place Name Admin Code Country
Great Britain
Ireland
England
Great Britain
Ireland
Illinois--Urbana
Subject
Drawing, English
Land tenure
Manuscripts
Nobility
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1593

Death 1641

Information

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