Thomas Wentworth: First Earl of Strafford 1593-1641: A Revaluation

by C.V. Wedgwood

A dramatic story of the ruthless servant of King Charles. The Earl of Stafford rose to become the most powerful and the most hated man in the British Isles--only to find himself deserted by his master and forced to go to the scaffold to appease the wrath of the people. In this revaluation of the original version, Stafford emerges as a complex ambitious, greedy, unscrupulous, but with intense Puritan piety and unflagging devotion to duty. "Her style is a model of clarity. And, in sheer readability she is a match for any historian, living or dead."--The Sunday Times.

Genres: History, Biography, 17th Century, British Literature

415 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1935

About the author

Dame (Cicely) Veronica Wedgwood OM DBE was an English historian who published under the name C. V. Wedgwood. Specializing in the history of 17th-century England and Continental Europe, her biographies and narrative histories "provided a clear, entertaining middle ground between popular and scholarly works."

Reviews

[Isen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thomas Wentworth is another figure that loomed in the background of high school history. Not quite important enough to take centre stage, but certainly interesting enough to leave you intrigued. Twenty years later I've finally gotten around to reading a biography of him. Let no one say I don't get shit done.

My main interest in Wentworth was in the context of King Charles' constitutional experiment: whether it was possible to build an absolute monarchy in England through judicious application of Thorough. Unfortunately, this book did not really answer that. The term Thorough was thrown around a bit, but I can't say I understand it any better than I did at the start. Instead I get the impression that there was really nothing to it. Wentworth seemingly ruled by force of personality and dedication, and any attempt to extract a system or ideology from it may be futile.

But the book is well written, doing a great job of bringing of what, in the big picture, is a very minor figure in history to life, climaxing in the extended reconstruction of Wentworth's trial at the end. I enjoyed it, though I do question whether I could be doing something better than reading up on minor historical figures. Porn, for instance.

[Gerry Connolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thomas Wentworth, a Revaluation is the second biography of this historical figure written by C.V. Wedgwood. For a dozen years Thomas Wentworth was a dominant figure in 17th c England. He served as Lord Lt of Ireland, Lord Lt of the King’s army, Earl of Strafford and Lord President of the North. In his fastidious devotion to duty as he saw it, he made enemies. Powerful enemies. In Ireland, at court, and especially in the House of Commons. Finally on 1640 he was impeached with a 28 article dossier contending high treason. In a dramatic show of poise and reason he countered each one in his trial forcing his accusers to invent a new standard arguing for a “cumulative treason”. Ultimately the House of Commons introduced a Bill of Attainder condemning him to death. The feckless King Charles I abandoned his chief counselor and Strafford was beheaded. Civil war ensued 15 months later and Charles lost his head too. Karma. A story of hubris and rank injustice.

[Prince Rupert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredibly well researched, however a very keen want to understand Wentworth and the English Civil War is needed in order to full enjoy this book.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you want the real story on Strafford--and I know a lot of people don't care two cents about him :P--read this book.

[Nancy Blanton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent biography of this very complex and doomed man.