Thomas Lunsford

Sir Thomas Lunsford
Lieutenant of the Tower of London
Print of Sir Thomas Lunsford published in 1794
Born 1611
Wilegh, Sussex, England
Died 1653 (aged 43)
near Williamsburg, Virginia
Buried Rich Neck, Virginia
Father Thomas Lunsford, Sr., Gentleman
Mother Katherine Lunsford

Sir Thomas Lunsford (ca. 1611–1656) was a Royalist colonel and Cavalier in the English Civil War.[1]

In 1633, Lunsford fired upon Sir Thomas Pelham as he stood in the doorway of East Hoathly church in an apparent assassination attempt. He was indicted and sent to Newgate prison, which he escaped and fled to the continent. In his absence, Lunsford was fined £8,000 and outlawed for failing to appear in the Court of Star Chamber. Whilst outlawed, Lunsford joined the French army and became a colonel of a regiment of foot. In 1639, he returned to England and was pardoned by Charles I. He joined the King's army during this time. He was appointed Lieutenant of the Tower of London in 1641. He was removed on petition from the Commons, knighted in 1641. He raised a regiment for the King's cause in the First English Civil War. He was made prisoner during the Battle of Edgehill in 1642 and released in 1644.

He sailed to the early British colony of Virginia with his family in 1649, where he died in 1653.[2]

References

  1. ↑ David Plant, Sir Thomas Lunsford c.1611-56 the British Civil Wars and Commonwealth website
  2. ↑ Lee, Sidney (1903), Dictionary of National Biography Index and Epitome, p. 800 (also main entry xxxiv 281)
Attribution

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Lee, Sidney, ed. (1903). "Lunsford, Sir Thomas". Dictionary of National Biography. Index and Epitome. Cambridge University Press. p. 800.


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