Henry Lingen facts for kids

Sir Henry Lingen (born October 23, 1612 – died January 22, 1662) was an important military leader during the English Civil War. He was a Royalist, meaning he supported King Charles I. Sir Henry was from Herefordshire, England, and later became a member of Parliament. He was the son of Edward Lingen and Blanche Bodenham. He had two sons, Henry and William, and seven daughters. While his sons did not have children, his daughters did, and their families continued his line.

Early Life and Work

Sir Henry Lingen was a well-known person in Herefordshire. In 1638, he was appointed High Sheriff of Herefordshire. This was an important job where he was in charge of keeping peace and order in the county. He also helped collect taxes and rents.

Sir Henry Lingen and the English Civil War

The English Civil War was a big conflict in England between those who supported the King (Royalists) and those who supported Parliament (Parliamentarians). Sir Henry Lingen was a strong supporter of the King.

Defending Goodrich Castle

In 1643, Sir Henry was again made High Sheriff. He became a commander for the King's army. One of his most famous actions was defending Goodrich Castle. He held the castle against the Parliamentarian forces for a long time. In July 1646, Colonel John Birch and his troops finally broke through the castle's defenses. They used a famous cannon called Roaring Meg.

Other Battles and Events

Sir Henry's own home, Freen's Court at Sutton, was also attacked. Prince Rupert of the Rhine, a famous Royalist commander, had to come and help save it. King Charles I himself knighted Sir Henry in 1645 when the King visited Hereford.

Sir Henry also led an attack on Brampton Bryan Castle. This castle belonged to a distant relative, Robert Harley (1579-1656). Lady Brilliana Harley bravely defended her home, but it eventually fell. Sir Henry managed to escape from Hereford just before it was taken in a surprise attack by Parliamentarian forces in December 1645. After Goodrich Castle fell, he tried to get the people of Hereford to fight against Parliament, but it didn't work.

Life After the War

After the Civil War ended, Sir Henry Lingen went back to his home at Stoke Edith near Hereford. Because he had supported the King, Parliament made him pay a large amount of money as a fine. Later, in 1670, his family sold Stoke Edith, which was his main estate. It was bought by the Foley family.

Family and Later Years

Sir Henry Lingen married Alice Pye. They were both buried at the Church in Stoke Edith. After the English Restoration, when the King returned to power, Sir Henry became a member of Parliament for Herefordshire. Sadly, he died from smallpox in Gloucester in 1662. He was on his way back from a meeting in London.

Sir Henry's Descendants

While Sir Henry's sons did not have children, his daughters did. This means his family line continued through them. Other branches of the Lingen family also exist.

Legacy

Sir Henry Lingen is remembered in a local folk song from Herefordshire called Sir Harry's Fancy. This song is about his time during the Civil War and was sung by his soldiers after he surrendered Goodrich Castle.