Thomas Rainborowe (c.1610-1648) : Civil War Seaman, Siegemaster and Radical

This book offers an account of the life and career of Thomas Rainborowe, a significant figure in the English Civil War in both military and political terms.

His involvement in the sea-borne Irish Expedition of 1642 was followed by service as an infantry leader within the Eastern Association and the New Model Army, where he achieved particular distinction as a siege commander.

In the context of the New Model's burgeoning political role, Rainborowe emerged at the Putney Debates (a landmark in the history of the political philosophy) as perhaps the most cogent spokesman for the radical/Leveller cause; but his association with the abortive Leveller-inspired mutiny at Ware, and his hostility toward continued negotiation with Charles I, led to his fall from grace with Cromwell and the 'grandees'.

Despite this, he re-emerged as a pre-eminent siege-commander at Colchester; but, en route to impose a more rigorous siege of Pontefract Castle, he was assassinated at Doncaster, in highly suspicious circumstances, in November 1648.

Written in a lively and accessible style, this is the first full-length study of a man whose importance has been hitherto neglected.