William Godolphin (Royalist) facts for kids
Sir William Godolphin (born 1605 – died November 1663) was an English soldier and politician. He was a member of the English Parliament in 1640. During the English Civil War, he fought for the King's side, known as the Royalists.
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Early Life and Politics
William Godolphin was born in Treveneague, Cornwall. His father was Sir John Godolphin. William became involved with the local military groups, called trained bands, around 1638. He might have also fought in the King's wars against Scotland in 1640.
In April 1640, Godolphin was chosen as a Member of Parliament for Helston. This was during a time known as the Short Parliament, which did not last very long.
Fighting in the Civil War
When the English Civil War began in 1642, Sir William Godolphin became a colonel. He led a group of trained soldiers from Cornwall who fought for King Charles I. By October 1642, the Royalist forces had pushed the Parliament's army out of Cornwall.
Since the local trained bands could only fight within Cornwall, the Royalist commander, Ralph Hopton, formed a new volunteer army. Sir William Godolphin created one of these new regiments from his part-time soldiers. Other leaders like Nicholas Slanning and Sir Bevill Grenvile also formed regiments.
Early Battles in the West
Hopton's army tried to capture Exeter but didn't succeed at first. They then took Plympton and surrounded Plymouth in December. They also captured other towns like Alphington and Topsham.
Their first major battle was at Braddock Down in January 1643. Godolphin's regiment helped chase the enemy forces away from Liskeard and Saltash.
Key Victories and Losses
Later, Godolphin's cousin, the poet Sidney Godolphin, sadly died from a wound during a small fight.
A very important victory for the Royalists was the attack on Stratton Hill in May 1643. After ten hours of fighting uphill against a larger, better-equipped enemy, the Royalists won. They captured many soldiers and supplies. However, it was a tough fight.
Joining Forces and Taking Cities
The Cornish Royalist army then joined forces with Prince Maurice's men in Somerset. Together, they captured several towns, including Taunton, Bridgwater, and Wells.
They faced the Parliamentarian commander William Waller in a cavalry (horseback soldiers) fight. On July 5, 1643, the Royalists won the Battle of Lansdowne. This was a "pyrrhic victory," meaning they won but lost a lot of their own men. Sir Bevill Grenvile, another Royalist leader, died in this battle.
After more fighting, the Western Royalists took Bath. They then joined Prince Rupert and stormed Bristol on July 26, 1643. This battle lasted over thirteen hours. The Royalists took the city, but they lost two more important leaders, Sir Nicholas Slanning and Sir John Trevanion.
Later War and Knighthood
The Cornish soldiers returned to Devon. Under Prince Maurice, they captured Exeter in September and Dartmouth in October. They spent the winter near Plymouth.
Sir William Godolphin was knighted by the King in Oxford on May 6, 1644. In 1645, Godolphin's regiment became part of the soldiers defending Exeter. They stayed there until the city fell to the Parliamentarians on April 9, 1646. Godolphin was one of the people who signed the surrender agreement.
Later Life
Sir William Godolphin lived to see King Charles II return to the throne. He passed away in Spargor, Cornwall, in November 1663. He was buried at St Mabyn.
Family Life
Sir William Godolphin was married twice. His first wife was Ruth Lambe. His second wife was Grace Barrett.
His son, William, from his first marriage, also became a Member of Parliament and a diplomat. His daughter Ruth married Valentine Greatrakes. Sir William's brother, John Godolphin, was a lawyer and writer.