Strafford, Earl of (1593-1641), was an English statesman. His given and family name was Thomas Wentworth. From 1614 to 1628, he was a leader of Parliament in its struggle with Kings James I and Charles I. But he drew away from his parliamentary friends as their criticism of Charles I grew more vigorous. In 1628, he joined the king’s side and in 1633 became lord deputy of Ireland. His administration was harsh.
Wentworth returned to England in 1639 and became Earl of Strafford in 1640. He served as one of Charles’s chief advisers in his struggle against Parliament. Parliamentary leaders saw Strafford as a threat and in 1640 decided to try him for treason. Instead, Parliament passed a bill of attainder, an act to punish him without trial. Charles had promised protection but, fearing mob violence, signed the bill. Two days later, Strafford was executed. Wentworth was born in London.
