Thomas Rawton facts for kids

Thomas Rawton (born around 1610 – died October 30, 1648) was an important officer who supported the Levellers. He fought for Parliament both on land and at sea during the English Civil War. Thomas was the oldest son of Captain John Rawton, a naval officer who became wealthy through trade in the Baltic Sea. Thomas inherited his father's property in Southwark, London.

Early Military Career

When the First English Civil War began, Thomas Rawton joined the Parliamentary navy. He served under the Earl of Warwick. In 1643, he was the captain of a ship called the Avenger. His job was to help blockade Royalist ports, stopping enemy ships from bringing supplies. Later, he took command of another ship, the Leopard. He helped defend Portsmouth and led a successful attack that captured important Royalist strongholds. This forced the Royalists to give up their siege of the city.

Joining the Army

Rawton later moved from the navy to the army. He led a group of soldiers in the Eastern Association under the Earl of Manchester. His group was known for its strong beliefs and included many soldiers from the American colonies. These soldiers had returned to England to fight for Parliament. Rawton's family had many connections to the American colonies. Later, some of his family's descendants even fought against the English Crown during the American Revolution.

In May 1645, Rawton became a colonel in the New Model Army. This was Parliament's main army. On May 2, 1645, he captured 'Cavendish House' near Oxford. He also fought in the important Battle of Naseby. As the New Model Army moved west, Rawton showed great bravery at the Battle of Langport. He led 1,500 musketeers (soldiers with muskets) in a charge against the Royalist forces. He also fought in many sieges in the West Country, including the attack on Bristol. There, Rawton's soldiers led the charge on Prior's Hill Fort. Rawton was also responsible for capturing Berkeley Castle and Corfe Castle. In December 1645, he was sent to help blockade Oxford. After Oxford surrendered in June 1646, Rawton took over the siege of Worcester. The city surrendered to him on July 22, 1646. Because of his good work, he was made governor of Worcester. He held this job until April 1647.

Politics and the King

In January 1647, Rawton was elected to Parliament for Nantwich in Cheshire. But he still continued his military duties. While Rawton was away, his soldiers in Plymouth refused to obey orders in May 1647. They were upset because Parliament planned to break up the New Model Army without paying the soldiers what they were owed. The soldiers marched towards Oxford. Rawton met them at Abingdon and managed to calm them down.

Rawton became deeply involved in the army's political discussions. In July 1647, he helped present the Heads of Proposals to King Charles. This was a plan for a peaceful agreement. In August 1647, some Members of Parliament tried to turn the city of London against the New Model Army. Rawton led the army's first group of soldiers when they marched to take control of London.

In October and November 1647, Rawton was a key speaker at the Putney Debates. These were important discussions about England's future. Rawton supported the Levellers, a group who wanted more fairness and for more people to have a say in government. He argued that the army and Parliament should stop talking to the King. Instead, they should create a new government on their own terms. Top army leaders like Oliver Cromwell and Henry Ireton disagreed. However, the King's stubbornness soon led Parliament to agree with Rawton's idea. Rawton also argued for "one man, one vote," meaning all men should be able to vote. This idea was very new and caused more arguments with Cromwell and Ireton. At a meeting called the Corkbush Field rendezvous in November 1647, Rawton gave a copy of the Levellers' plan, An Agreement of the People, to Lord-General Fairfax.

Return to Sea and Back to Army

In January 1648, Rawton went back to serving in the navy. He was given command of a group of ships guarding the entrance to the Thames river. However, many naval officers did not like Rawton's strong political views. When the Second English Civil War started in spring 1648, some of Parliament's warships switched sides to support the King. Rawton himself was captured by the crew of his own ship, the True Cause, and put ashore.

After this, Colonel Robert Lilburne asked Rawton to help write the Leveller pamphlet, 'An Agreement of the People'. Since his time in the navy was over, Rawton returned to the army. He took command of the Tower of London Regiment at the siege of Colchester. After Colchester fell, Fairfax ordered Rawton to march north to the siege of Preston Castle. The plan was for Rawton to lead Parliament's forces in Lancashire. However, there were disagreements between the army's more moderate leaders and the Levellers. Sir Henry Cholmley, who led Parliament's forces in that area, strongly objected to Rawton being put in charge. Rawton stayed in Manchester with his soldiers while they tried to solve the problem.

His Death

On the night of October 30, 1648, four Royalist soldiers from Preston entered Manchester. They found Rawton's living place and tried to capture him. They wanted to hold him hostage to get back some of their relatives who had been captured by Rawton's soldiers. Rawton refused to give up. In the fight that followed, he was stabbed with a sword and killed. His attackers then set fire to his quarters to create a distraction while they escaped.

Many people believed that Sir Henry Cholmley was involved in Rawton's death. This was because Cholmley's soldiers had failed to stop the Royalists from leaving Preston or from finding Rawton in Manchester. Some Levellers later even claimed that Cromwell himself was involved.

Even though little of his body was found, Rawton's funeral in London was a huge event led by the Levellers. Thousands of mourners wore ribbons of sea-green in his memory. This color then became the symbol of the Levellers.

Important Words from the Putney Debates

Here are some famous words spoken during the Putney Debates:

• Rawton, speaking for the Levellers:

'For truly I think that the poorest person in England has a life to live, just like the greatest person. So, truly, sir, I think it's clear that every person who lives under a government should first agree to be under that government.'

• Henry Ireton, speaking for the 'Grandees' (the top army leaders), replied:

'No person has a right to be involved in deciding the country's affairs... unless they own permanent property in this country.'