Manchester, Edward Montagu, 2nd earl of
Manchester, Edward Montagu, 2nd earl of (1602–71). Parliamentary commander during the Civil War. Manchester (Mandeville until inheriting the earldom in 1642) was sympathetic towards presbyterianism and a leading opponent of the king in the years before the outbreak of war. He fought in the opening battle at Edgehill and was in command at Marston Moor and at the second battle of Newbury. Clarendon remarked that he was ‘universally acceptable and beloved’ and he seems to have been sweet-tempered and conciliatory. Praise from opponents did not endear him to zealots on his own side and in November 1644 Cromwell launched a fierce attack upon him in Parliament, accusing him of lethargy and of hankering after compromise. He was forced to resign by the self-denying ordinance in the spring of 1645. He survived to help bring about the restoration of Charles II, was made a knight of the Garter in 1661, and held high court office for the rest of his life.
J. A. Cannon
More From encyclopedia.com
About this article
Manchester, Edward Montagu, 2nd earl of
You Might Also Like
NEARBY TERMS
Manchester, Edward Montagu, 2nd earl of