George Goring, Lord Goring facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lord Goring
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Portrait of Lord Goring after Anthony van Dyck
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| Governor of Portsmouth | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 14 July 1608 |
| Died | July-August 1657 Madrid, Spain |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Dutch Republic Royalists |
| Rank | Lieutenant-General of Horse |
| Battles/wars | |
George Goring, Lord Goring (born 14 July 1608, died 1657) was an English soldier. He was a Royalist, meaning he supported King Charles I during the English Civil War. People called him Lord Goring because he was the oldest son of the first Earl of Norwich.
Contents
Early Life and Family
George Goring was born on 14 July 1608. His father was also named George Goring, who later became the first Earl of Norwich.
George Goring married Lettice Boyle. Her father was Richard Boyle, 1st Earl of Cork, a very important person at the time.
Early Military Career
George Goring started his military career in the Royal Netherlands Army. His father-in-law helped him get a job as a colonel. In 1637, he was hurt during the Siege of Breda. This injury made him permanently lame, meaning he had trouble walking.
He returned to England in 1639 and became the governor of Portsmouth. He also fought in the Bishops' Wars, which were conflicts between England and Scotland.
The Army Plot
In 1641, George Goring was involved in something called the "Army Plot." Some army officers wanted to ask the King and Parliament to keep the King's power strong. Goring suggested a bolder plan: marching the army to London to influence Parliament during a big trial.
When his idea was not accepted by other officers, he told others about the plot. This information eventually reached John Pym, a leader in Parliament.
Fighting in the Civil War
Parliament was happy with Goring for telling them about the plot. They sent him back to his command in Portsmouth. However, in August 1642, Goring decided to support the King instead.
He surrendered Portsmouth to Parliament in September 1642. Then, he went to the Netherlands to gather more soldiers for the King's army. He returned to England in December.
Leading Cavalry
Goring was given a command in the King's cavalry (soldiers on horseback). He won a battle against Fairfax at Seacroft Moor in March 1643. But in May, he was captured at Wakefield. He was later exchanged for another prisoner in April 1644.
At the Battle of Marston Moor, Goring led the Royalist left side. His charge was very successful at first. But his soldiers spread out to look for treasures, and Oliver Cromwell's forces defeated them. In November 1644, his father became the Earl of Norwich, and George Goring became known as Lord Goring.
Commander in the West
In August 1644, Prince Rupert of the Rhine sent Goring to join King Charles I in the south of England. Even though Goring was known for being difficult, he was put in charge of the Royalist cavalry. He had some victories in the west.
However, his troops caused many problems and were not well-behaved. This made people in the west dislike the Royalist cause. Goring was supposed to attack Taunton in March 1645. Later, he was asked to send help to another Royalist leader for the siege of Taunton, but he did so unwillingly.
Goring wanted to have his own independent command. He was still fighting around Taunton when the main part of the 1645 war began.
After the King's army lost badly at the Battle of Naseby, Parliament's army moved west. They defeated Goring's army at Battle of Langport on 10 July 1645. After this defeat, Goring did not put up much more resistance.
Life After the War
In November 1645, George Goring was allowed to leave his army and go to France because of his health. Because his father had served Spain, Goring was given command of some English soldiers fighting for Spain.
He died in Madrid, Spain, in July or August 1657. Before he died, he became a Catholic.
Images for kids
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Lord Goring.
