Sir Thomas Fairfax, 3rd Baron Fairfax of Cameron (1612-1671), was the first and highly successful commander of the Parliamentarian New Model Army during the English Civil Wars (1642-1651). Fairfax's leadership, tactical prowess, and courage were all evident in many battles, but his greatest triumph was utterly defeating the Royalists at the Battle of Naseby in June 1645.
More about: Sir Thomas FairfaxServer Costs Fundraiser 2024
Help our mission to provide free history education to the world! Please donate and contribute to covering our server costs in 2024. With your support, millions of people learn about history entirely for free every month.
$3926 / $18000
Definition
Timeline
-
1612 - 1671Life of the Parliamentarian general Sir Thomas Fairfax.
-
17 Jan 1612Sir Thomas Fairfax is born in Denton, North Yorkshire.
-
1642 - 1651The English Civil Wars between Parliamentarians ('Roundheads') and Royalists ('Cavaliers').
-
2 Jul 1644The Parliamentarians, with the help of Scottish troops, defeat the Royalists at the Battle of Marston Moor during the English Civil Wars.
-
4 Feb 1645The English Parliament motions to form a new professional fighting force, the New Model Army.
-
21 Feb 1645Sir Thomas Fairfax is appointed the commander of the New Model Army during the English Civil Wars.
-
Apr 1645The Self-Denying Ordinance forbids any member of Parliament from also being a military commander in the New Model Army.
-
14 Jun 1645The Parliamentarians led by Sir Thomas Fairfax defeat the Royalists at the Battle of Naseby during the English Civil Wars.
-
Jul 1645The Parliamentarians led by Sir Thomas Fairfax defeat a Royalist army led by Lord Goring near Langport in Somerset.
-
11 Sep 1645The Parliamentarians led by Sir Thomas Fairfax beseige and capture Bristol after the surrender by Prince Rupert.
-
1648Sir Thomas Fairfax inherits from his father the title Baron Fairfax of Cameron.
-
Jun 1648At the Battle of Maidstone, Sir Thomas Fairfax leads the Parliamentairans to victory against a Royalist army led by the Earl of Norwich.
-
28 Aug 1648Sir Thomas Fairfax leads the Parliamentarian siege which captures Colchester.
-
Dec 1648The New Model Army marches on Parliament to apprehend Presbyterian MPs and receive the arrears in their pay.
-
1650Sir Thomas Fairfax resigns as commander of the Parliamentarian New Model Army, refusing to lead them against Scotland.
-
12 Nov 1671Sir Thomas Fairfax dies in Yorkshire.
