Governor of Worcester facts for kids

The city of Worcester in England has had many important leaders throughout its history. During the English Civil War (1642-1651), a "governor" was a military leader in charge of protecting the city. These governors were either loyal to King Charles I (called Royalists) or to the Parliament (called Parliamentarians).

Worcester's Civil War Leaders

During the English Civil War, Worcester was a very important city. Both the Royalist and Parliamentarian armies wanted to control it. This meant the city often changed hands, and different governors were in charge.

Royalist Governors

These governors supported King Charles I.

• Sir John Byron
  • He was a Royalist commander.
  • He led the King's soldiers (a garrison) in Worcester for a short time in September 1642.

• Sir William Russell
  • He was a Royalist governor from 1642 to 1643.

• Colonel Gilbert Gerard
  • He served as a Royalist governor from December 1643 until early 1646.

• Colonel Samuel Sandys
  • He was a Royalist governor in early 1646.
  • He had also been the acting governor during the Siege of Worcester (1643), when the city was surrounded by enemy forces.

• Jacob Astley, 1st Baron Astley of Reading
  • He was a Royalist governor who took over from Colonel Samuel Sandys.
  • He was later captured and held prisoner at Warwick.

• Sir Henry Washington
  • He was the Royalist governor during the Siege of Worcester (1646).
  • This siege happened at the very end of the First Civil War.

Parliamentarian Governors

These governors supported the Parliament.

• Robert Devereux, 3rd Earl of Essex
  • He was the main commander of the Parliamentarian army.
  • His forces took control of Worcester on September 24, 1642.
  • He stayed in the city for about a month before marching his army to the Battle of Edgehill on October 23, 1642.

• Colonel Thomas Essex
  • He was appointed as the Parliamentarian governor by Parliament.
  • He was in charge from October to November 1642.

• Major-General Edward Massey
  • He served as a Parliamentarian governor of Worcester.