John Lambert (general) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Major General John Lambert
General John Lambert
Committee of Safety
In office May 1659 – October 1659
Member of Parliament for Pontefract
In office January 1659 – April 1659
Rule of the Major Generals, Northern Region
In office October 1655 – January 1657
Nominated to Barebone's Parliament
In office July 1653 – December 1653
Lord President, Council of State
In office April 1653 – May 1653
Personal details
Born	7 September 1619 (baptised) Calton Hall, near Kirkby Malham, Yorkshire, England
Died	1 March 1684(1684-03-01) (aged 64) Drake's Island, Plymouth, England
Resting place	St Andrew's Church, Plymouth
Political party	Parliamentarian
Spouse	Frances Lister (1622–1676)
Children	Thomas, John and Mary
Alma mater	Trinity College, Cambridge
Occupation	Soldier and politician
Military service
Allegiance	England Commonwealth
Rank	Major General
Battles/wars	Wars of the Three Kingdoms Tadcaster; Selby; Nantwich; Marston Moor; Siege of Pontefract; Siege of Dartmouth; Siege of Oxford; Preston; Dunbar; Inverkeithing; Worcester; Booth's Uprising

John Lambert (born 7 September 1619 – died 1 March 1684) was an English general and politician. He was known as a very skilled soldier during his time. He fought in many battles during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. He played a big part in winning the war against Scotland from 1650 to 1651.

Lambert became involved in politics in 1653. He joined the English Council of State. In December 1653, he helped create the 'Instrument of Government'. This document became the main set of rules for the government called the Protectorate. Later, he disagreed with Oliver Cromwell. This was mainly because Lambert did not want Cromwell to become king.

Because of this, Lambert lost his jobs in 1657. He refused to promise loyalty to Cromwell. After Cromwell died in 1658, Lambert returned to politics. He became a Member of Parliament for Pontefract. When Richard Cromwell left his role in May 1659, Lambert joined the Committee of Safety. He successfully stopped a rebellion called Booth's Uprising.

Lambert was later sent to deal with George Monck. However, Lambert's army broke apart. He was then put in the Tower of London in March 1660. He escaped a month later in April. He tried one last time to stop the king from returning to power. But he was caught again in April. Even though he was important in the Protectorate, he was not involved in the Trial of Charles I. He also had many friends who supported the king. He was sentenced to death, but this was changed to life in prison. He spent the next 24 years under house arrest. He was first on Guernsey, then on Drake's Island near Plymouth. He died there on 1 March 1684.

About John Lambert

John Lambert was born at Calton Hall. This place is near Kirkby Malham in Yorkshire. His father was Josias Lambert and his mother was Anne Pigott. He had two older half-sisters from his father's earlier marriages.

His family was part of the gentry, which meant they were landowners. By the late 1620s, his father had money problems. When his father died, John Lambert was still young. He became the responsibility of Sir William Lister, a family friend. Sir William Lister likely paid for John's education at Trinity College, Cambridge.

In 1639, John Lambert married Frances Lister. She was Sir William's younger daughter. They had three children who lived to be adults. Their names were Thomas, John, and Mary.

Lambert's Military Career

The First English Civil War

Thomas Fairfax; Lambert's mentor and commander of the New Model Army.

Before the Civil War, families in Yorkshire were often connected. This was true even if they had different political views. John Lambert and the Listers supported Parliament. But they were related to families who supported the king, like the Slingsbys. Lambert even stayed friends with John Belasyse. Belasyse was a Catholic and a leader of a secret group that supported the king.

When the First English Civil War began in August 1642, Lambert joined the Parliamentarian army. This army was led by Lord Fairfax. Lambert fought at Tadcaster in December 1642. His brother-in-law was killed there. Lambert quickly became known as a brave and strong soldier. He helped defend Hull. He also fought in Parliamentarian wins at Nantwich and Selby in early 1644.

At the Battle of Marston Moor in July, Lambert and Thomas Fairfax led the right side of the army. Their side was defeated at first. But they fought their way to Oliver Cromwell's side. They helped win the battle.

In January 1645, Thomas Fairfax became the leader of the New Model Army. Lambert was promoted to Commissary General. He was like Fairfax's second-in-command in the north. During the siege of Pontefract Castle, Lambert was hurt. He was also defeated by a group trying to help the castle. After this, Lambert joined the New Model Army. He helped capture Dartmouth in January 1646. He was also at the sieges of Truro, Exeter, and Oxford. The siege of Oxford ended the First Civil War. Lambert helped with the surrender terms for each of these places.

The Second English Civil War

After the first war, there were disagreements. Some people in Parliament, called Presbyterians, wanted peace with King Charles I. But many soldiers in the New Model Army, led by Cromwell, wanted more changes. The army was also owed a lot of money. Parliament wanted to send the army to Ireland. They said only those who agreed would be paid. The army refused and would not disband.

The Army Council was formed to unite the army against Parliament. Lambert helped write the army's peace terms with the king. When the king rejected these terms, the army took control of London. They also removed their opponents from Parliament.

In July 1647, Lambert became commander of the Northern Association army again. He quickly brought order back. This was important because a similar fight was happening in Scotland. In April 1648, a group called the Engagers took control of Scotland. They joined with English Royalists to restore King Charles I. This started the Second English Civil War in April 1648.

Most of the New Model Army was with Fairfax or Cromwell. This left Lambert in a difficult spot in the north. Royalists captured Berwick and Carlisle. Lambert could not stop the Engagers from crossing the border. But he fought well and delayed them until Cromwell arrived. The Royalist army was destroyed at the Battle of Preston in August. Lambert captured the Engager leader, Hamilton, on August 25.

Lambert then went to Edinburgh to help the Kirk Party. He supported the army's complaints against the king and Parliament. He was named a judge for the trial of Charles I. But he was away at the siege of Pontefract until March 1649. So, he was not involved in the king's execution in January. However, he did not oppose it.

The Commonwealth Era

When Cromwell became commander of the war in Scotland in July 1650, Lambert went with him. He was Cromwell's second-in-command. Lambert was hurt at Musselburgh. But he returned to fight in the victory at Dunbar. He also stopped a surprise attack by the Covenanters in December 1650.

In July 1651, Lambert was sent to Fife. His job was to cut off supplies to the Scottish army. He won an important victory at Inverkeithing. This made Charles II head for England, just as Lambert thought he would. Lambert's part in the plan for the Worcester campaign was very successful. He commanded the right side of the English army at Worcester. His horse was shot from under him during the battle. Parliament gave him land in Scotland as a reward.

In October 1651, Lambert helped manage Scottish affairs. In January 1652, he was named lord deputy of Ireland. He made many plans for this role. But Parliament changed how Ireland would be run. Lambert refused to take the job under the new rules. He then started to disagree with the Rump Parliament.

Lambert wanted a government with elected representatives. He joined with others to ask Cromwell to close Parliament by force. On 20 April 1653, Lambert was with Cromwell when he dismissed the Council of State. This happened on the same day Parliament was forced out.

Lambert now supported a small ruling council. He wanted an elected parliament with limited powers. These powers would be set by a written document. He was a key figure in the Council of State. Many in the army admired him. Some thought he might even become Cromwell's rival for power.

Lambert was asked to join the "Barebones Parliament" in 1653. As that Parliament became unpopular, Cromwell grew closer to Lambert. In November 1653, Lambert led a meeting of officers. They discussed how to set up the government. They also talked about forcing the nominated parliament out. On 12 December 1653, Parliament gave its powers to Cromwell. On 13 December, Lambert got the officers to agree to the Instrument of Government. He had played a main role in writing this document. He was one of the seven officers chosen for the new council.

In foreign policy, Lambert wanted an alliance with Spain. He also wanted war with France in 1653. He strongly opposed Cromwell's plan to send an expedition to the West Indies.

In 1654, Lambert suggested that the role of Lord Protector should be passed down through families. But this idea was voted down. Lambert served as a Member of Parliament for the West Riding in 1654 and 1656. In August 1655, he was made one of the major-generals. These generals were in charge of keeping order in different parts of England.

Lambert helped create the rules for these major-generals. He organized the police system they would control. Some historians think that Lambert and Cromwell started to disagree here. Even though Lambert had once asked Cromwell to become king, he opposed it when the idea came up in Parliament in 1657.

A group of officers, including Lambert, asked Cromwell to stop the plan. Lambert was not convinced by Cromwell's reasons. Their friendship and political alliance ended. Lambert refused to promise loyalty to Cromwell. So, he lost his military jobs. He was given a yearly payment instead. He left public life and went to Wimbledon. But before Cromwell died, he tried to make up with Lambert. Lambert and his wife visited Cromwell at Whitehall.

When Richard Cromwell became Protector in September 1658, he had trouble controlling the army. Lambert was very popular with the soldiers. Many believed he would take Cromwell's place. Richard Cromwell's supporters tried to make peace with Lambert. Royalist leaders even suggested that King Charles II marry Lambert's daughter.

Lambert at first gave some support to Richard Cromwell. He joined the Third Protectorate Parliament in January 1659. When Parliament was dissolved in April, Lambert got his military jobs back. He led the group that asked the Rump Parliament to return. This led to Richard Cromwell stepping down. Lambert was then made a member of the Committee of Safety and the Council of State.

Parliament tried to control the army's power. They did not let Fleetwood choose officers. Lambert was named one of seven people to do this job. The army was unhappy that Parliament did not trust them. Royalists also tried to bring back King Charles II. Lambert crushed the most serious rebellion near Chester in August 1659.

Lambert asked that Fleetwood be made lord-general and himself major-general. The Parliament did not like this. On 12 October 1659, Parliament removed Lambert and other officers. The next day, Lambert had the doors of Parliament shut. On 26 October, a new Committee of Safety was formed, and Lambert was a member. He was also made major-general of all forces in England and Scotland.

Lambert was sent with a large army to meet George Monck in Scotland. He was supposed to talk with Monck or force him to agree to terms. But Monck marched south. Lambert's army started to leave him. Monck kept Lambert waiting until his whole army deserted. Lambert returned to London almost alone. Monck marched into London without anyone stopping him.

Lambert was sent to the Tower of London in March 1660. He escaped a month later using a silk rope. He tried to start the civil war again. He asked supporters of the "Good Old Cause" to gather. But he was caught again in April by Colonel Richard Ingoldsby. He was kept in the Tower of London. Then he was moved to Castle Cornet on the island of Guernsey.

After the Restoration

When the king returned to power, Lambert was not immediately prosecuted. But in 1662, he was put on trial. In April 1662, General Lambert was brought to England and tried. On 25 July, he was sent to Guernsey. He was to be kept as a prisoner. On 18 November, the king allowed him more freedom on the island. This was as long as he remained secure.

Later Life and Legacy

In 1662, Lambert was imprisoned in Guernsey. In 1667, he was moved to Drake's Island near Plymouth. He died there during the cold winter of 1683–84. His burial place is now unknown. But he was laid to rest at St Andrews Church in Plymouth in March 1684.

Lambert wrote the Instrument of Government. This was the first written constitution in the world. It set out how the government's powers would work. This document was later replaced in 1657.

Some say Lambert was more like a Royalist in his personality. He was ambitious and thought Cromwell needed him. After Cromwell died, he believed he should take his place. As a soldier, he was more than just a fighter. He had many qualities of a great general. He was also a good writer and speaker. He enjoyed quiet activities at home. He learned about gardening from Lord Fairfax. He even painted flowers and was said to work with his wife and maids on needlework.