Brentford, Patrick Ruthven, 1st earl of

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Brentford, Patrick Ruthven, 1st earl of (c.1573–1651). Ruthven was a professional soldier who spent most of his life in the Swedish service, rising to lieutenant-general. In 1638, well over the age of 60, and with war clouds gathering, he returned to Scotland, was created Lord Ruthven [S], and appointed governor of Edinburgh castle, which he was forced to surrender to the covenanters in 1640. He was advanced to the earldom of Forth [S], fought at Edgehill, and won a smart encounter a little later at Brentford, taking it as his title in 1644 when he was given an English earldom. After the wars, he was in exile with Charles II but returned to Scotland with him and died at Dundee. Ruthven was a brave, battered, and resourceful soldier of vast experience, but Clarendon complained that his understanding had been impaired by ‘immoderate drinking’.

J. A. Cannon

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