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Henry Ireton Biography

Henry Ireton Image

IRETON, Henry (1611-51). An English general of the Commonwealth. He was the eldest son of German Ireton, of Attenborough, Nottinghamshire. He graduated B.A. at Trinity College, Oxford, in 1629, and studied law at the Middle Temple, London, but at the outbreak of the Civil War offered his services to the Parliament. He served under Manchester in 1644, with the rank of quartermaster-general. At Naseby, in 1645, as commissary general, he was in command of the left wing, and, his lines having been broken by the furious charge of Rupert, he was wounded and taken prisoner, but regained his liberty when Cromwell's Ironsides decided the fortunes of the day. Later in the same year he became a member of Parliament and took an active part in its disputes with the army. At first he favored a settlement between the King and Parliament and was the chief author of "the Heads of the Proposals," but upon being convinced of the impracticability of such an arrangement he became the King's implacable enemy and was one of those who signed his death warrant. His connection with Cromwell, whose daughter Bridget he married in 1646, greatly advanced his interests. When Cromwell went to Ireland to subdue that country, he was accompanied by his son-in-law, on whose vigor, judgment, and tact he placed much reliance. Cromwell's presence, however, was soon required in Scotland, and the complete subjugation of Ireland was intrusted to Ireton. His career was brief, severe, but successful. He compelled the surrender of Carlow, Waterford, Duncarmon, and Limerick, and inaugurated a policy of civil government which was marked by fairness and religious sincerity. He died of an epidemic fever at Limerick. His remains were conveyed to England and interred in Westminster Abbey; but after the Restoration they were disinterred, hanged, and burned at Tyburn.