Edward Sexby facts for kids

Edward Sexby, Tuer n'est pas assassiner (Killing no murder)

Colonel Edward Sexby (born around 1616 – died January 13, 1658) was an English soldier during the time of the English Civil War. He started as a supporter of Oliver Cromwell and the Puritans, fighting for Parliament. Later, he became a Leveller, a group who wanted more rights for ordinary people. Eventually, Sexby turned against Cromwell and tried to remove him from power.

Early Life and Military Service

Edward Sexby was born in Suffolk, England, in 1616. We don't know much about his early life. Some say he was the son of a gentleman and worked as a grocer in London. He might have even known Cromwell's family.

In 1643, when the English Civil War began, Sexby joined Cromwell's cavalry regiment. These soldiers were known as the Ironsides and were part of the Roundheads, who fought against King Charles I.

A Voice for the Soldiers

By 1647, Sexby was still a private soldier. He became a key leader in a movement to stop the army from being broken up. He was one of three soldiers who delivered an important letter from the army to their generals.

Sexby became one of the "Agitators," who were representatives for the soldiers. He spoke for them in important meetings called the Putney Debates in October 1647. During these debates, he strongly argued against making deals with King Charles I. He also demanded that all men should have the right to vote. His strong opinions sometimes annoyed Cromwell.

Sexby might have even been involved in the capture of the King at Holdenby House in 1647.

After the War

Sexby left the army around late 1647. However, he was present at the Battle of Preston in 1648. He carried a message about Cromwell's victory to the House of Commons, and they gave him £100 as a reward.

In 1649, Parliament gave him the job of arresting some Scottish officials. He was also made governor of Portland and was known as Captain Sexby. He often took on difficult and brave tasks.

In 1650, Cromwell suggested that Sexby raise a new regiment of soldiers. Sexby, who became a Lieutenant-Colonel and then a Colonel, helped in the siege of Tantallon Castle in 1651.

Missions Abroad and Opposition to Cromwell

A few months later, Cromwell sent Sexby on a secret mission to France. His job was to find out about the political situation there. He talked with French leaders, including the Prince de Conti, and suggested they use ideas from the "Agreement of the People" to create a new government in France. This "Agreement" was a plan for a more democratic government in England. Sexby returned to England in 1653 and received £1,000 for his expenses.

Sexby wanted England to team up with Spain against France. He hoped to lead soldiers to help the French rebels. However, Cromwell changed his plans and decided to rule England himself as "The Protector." This made Sexby very angry, and he turned against Cromwell.

Sexby joined other people who were unhappy with Cromwell's rule. He wrote and shared pamphlets (small books) against Cromwell. He also helped plan a rebellion in 1655, involving both royalists (supporters of the King) and Levellers. Sexby managed to escape to Flanders (modern-day Belgium) when Cromwell's officers tried to catch him.

In Flanders, Sexby met with royalists and told them that Cromwell was a "false, perjured rogue." He said he would even support bringing King Charles II back to the throne if people's freedoms were protected.

Sexby also met with Spanish leaders, telling them about Cromwell's plans and asking for money and soldiers to start an uprising in England. He went to Spain to discuss his ideas further. He returned with money and promises of support. He suggested that they shouldn't mention the King until Cromwell was gone, and that the rebels should talk only about "the liberty of the country."

The Plot and Killing No Murder

Cromwell's government knew about Sexby's plans through their spies. Cromwell even spoke about Sexby's plot in Parliament in 1656, calling him "a wretched creature."

Sexby believed that Cromwell had to be removed for his plans to succeed. He sent special devices to England for this purpose. In January 1657, one of his agents, Miles Sindercombe, was arrested after trying to set fire to the Palace of Whitehall.

Even after this setback, Sexby didn't give up. He wrote, "As long as Sexby lives, Cromwell will have his hands full."

Early printing of document

A few months later, a controversial pamphlet called Killing No Murder arrived in England from Holland. It was dedicated to Cromwell and argued that it was right to remove a ruler who was seen as a tyrant. Sexby published this pamphlet, likely with help from Silius Titus.

In June 1657, Sexby secretly returned to England to help put his ideas into action. On July 24, he was arrested while trying to leave for Flanders. He died in the Tower of London on January 13, 1658, after being sick for a long time. He was buried near the Tower chapel.

Sexby's own confession in the Tower proved he wrote Killing No Murder.

Family

Sexby's wife visited him while he was held in the Tower of London. We don't have any other information about her.

Fictional Portrayals

• Sexby appears in the novel Rebels and Traitors by Lindsey Davis.
• He is also a character in the 1976 play Light Shining in Buckinghamshire by Caryl Churchill.