In 1632 King Charles I installed Thomas Wentworth as his new deputy in Ireland, with hopes that he could stabilize the political turmoil of the country and once again make the island profitable.
Thomas Wentworth, Black Tom Tyrant
Over the next eight years, Wentworth exceeded beyond anyone’s expectations. Through a policy called ‘thorough’ he rooted out trouble-makers and corruption, expanded Irish Industry, and restored central authority. However, his ruthless pursuit of policy made him deeply unpopular with the Irish, who dubbed him ‘Black Tom Tyrant’. In 1640, King Charles elevated him to the Earl of Strafford and recalled him to England to help deal with the Scottish Covenanter invasion.
The Trial of Earl Strafford
In the event, Thomas Wentworth became ill and was unable to aid the King in his fight against the Scots. The King lost the Second Bishops’ War and was forced to summon a parliament. This parliament, which became known as the ‘Long Parliament’ took its opportunity to air its grievances against the King. They began by attacking his most loyal supporters. First, they imprisoned Archbishop William Laud, then they turned their attention to Earl Strafford.
In 1641, Strafford was summoned to London to stand trial for ‘cumulative treason’, a crime that had not previously existed. His accusers said he’d been treasonous against parliament and against the country (as opposed to ‘Treason’ which was against the monarch). Despite being surrounded by political enemies, the parliament could not produce sufficient evidence, and the trial fell apart.
However, the numerous enemies of Wentworth would not be stopped. They introduced a ‘bill of attainder’ in parliament, declaring Stafford guilty and sentencing him to execution. Although it was a blatant misuse of legislative power, the bill passed through the House of Commons. It then went to the House of Lords. As the Lords debated the measure, mobs began to fill the London streets calling for Strafford’s execution, and threatening any Lords seen to be against the bill. Eventually, the bill passed.
The First Army Plot
For the bill to be finally accepted, it had to be approved by the King, Stafford’s friend and supporter. However, with the London mobs growing increasingly violent, Charles attempted to go around politics. He attempted to bribe the keeper of the Tower of London into releasing Strafford, and even sent an army escort to take Strafford away. However, news of the plot leaked, and the escort was intercepted by a mob. The move backfired on Charles completely. Not only had he failed to rescue Strafford, but he kindled fears that the King would use the army to arrest Parliament.
The Execution of Earl Strafford
With the London mob howling for blood, Charles realized he must either sacrifice Strafford or face the violence of the crowd. In the end, Strafford himself told Charles that he would die for the good of the country. Charles signed the bill. Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford was executed at the Tower of London on 12 May 1641 in front of a crowd of 100,000.
Apparently, King Charles regretted the decision for the rest of his life. He had lost a confident and a loyal lieutenant, and, in the end, his execution did nothing to prevent the oncoming war.
Sources:
God’s Fury, England’s Fire by Michael Braddick, Allen Lane, 2008
The English Civil War by David Clark, Pocket Essentials, 2008
The Oxford Companion to Irish History, edited by S J Connolly, Oxford University Press, 1998
Joseph Allen McCullough - Joseph A. McCullough was born in the town of Greensboro, NC, site of the Battle of Guildford Courthouse. In 1994, he graduated from the ...
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