Portrait of Henry Ireton

Henry Ireton

1611 – 1651

Henry Ireton (1611-1651) was a leading theorist of the New Model Army and rose to the rank of general under Oliver Cromwell. He drafted a number of manifestos for the New Model Army in 1647 and was an active participant in the Putney Debates. He began by arguing for a constitutional monarchy but when the King proved uncooperative he supported the execution of the king and the supremacy of Parliament. He succeeded Cromwell as commander in chief in Ireland where he died.

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