1st Earl of Strafford

The 1st Earl of Strafford, Thomas Wentworth (1593–1641), was an influential English statesman and close advisor to King Charles I. He served as Lord Deputy of Ireland, implementing policies to strengthen royal authority. Known for his firm support of the king’s prerogative, he often clashed with Parliament over taxation and governance. His assertive rule and confrontations contributed to political tensions leading up to the English Civil War. Ultimately, he was imprisoned and executed for treason, seen by many as a symbol of royal overreach and authoritarian rule during a period of rising conflict between monarchy and Parliament.