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.
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Timeline
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1612 - 1671Life of the Parliamentarian general Sir Thomas Fairfax.
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17 Jan 1612Sir Thomas Fairfax is born in Denton, North Yorkshire.
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1642 - 1651The English Civil Wars between Parliamentarians ('Roundheads') and Royalists ('Cavaliers').
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2 Jul 1644The Parliamentarians, with the help of Scottish troops, defeat the Royalists at the Battle of Marston Moor during the English Civil Wars.
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4 Feb 1645The English Parliament motions to form a new professional fighting force, the New Model Army.
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21 Feb 1645Sir Thomas Fairfax is appointed the commander of the New Model Army during the English Civil Wars.
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Apr 1645The Self-Denying Ordinance forbids any member of Parliament from also being a military commander in the New Model Army.
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14 Jun 1645The Parliamentarians led by Sir Thomas Fairfax defeat the Royalists at the Battle of Naseby during the English Civil Wars.
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Jul 1645The Parliamentarians led by Sir Thomas Fairfax defeat a Royalist army led by Lord Goring near Langport in Somerset.
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11 Sep 1645The Parliamentarians led by Sir Thomas Fairfax beseige and capture Bristol after the surrender by Prince Rupert.
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1648Sir Thomas Fairfax inherits from his father the title Baron Fairfax of Cameron.
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Jun 1648At the Battle of Maidstone, Sir Thomas Fairfax leads the Parliamentairans to victory against a Royalist army led by the Earl of Norwich.
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28 Aug 1648Sir Thomas Fairfax leads the Parliamentarian siege which captures Colchester.
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Dec 1648The New Model Army marches on Parliament to apprehend Presbyterian MPs and receive the arrears in their pay.
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1650Sir Thomas Fairfax resigns as commander of the Parliamentarian New Model Army, refusing to lead them against Scotland.
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12 Nov 1671Sir Thomas Fairfax dies in Yorkshire.
