George Lisle
Encyclopedia
Sir George Lisle was a Royalist leader in the English Civil War
. Lisle's execution without trial, following the siege of Colchester
, came to be regarded as a serious miscarriage of justice and Lisle himself was seen as a martyr to the Royalist cause.
The known facts suggest that Lisle came from London and was related in some way to George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
. He gained military experience in the army of the Prince of Orange during the 1630s. He served under Prince Rupert in the Dutch Wars, and was a captain in Lord Grandison's Regiment during the Bishops' War in Scotland. By 1644, Lisle had become a colonel. He was seriously wounded at the Battle of Naseby
, and was knighted by King Charles I
at around the same time. Captured by the enemy following the siege of Colchester, he was taken out to be executed, along with his friend Sir Charles Lucas.
Lucas was first to face the firing squad and after long deliberations opened his shirt and encouraged, “Now rebels, do your worst”. Lisle was next, and having kissed his dead comrade invited the firing squad to come closer. The officer in charge exclaimed, “Sir, I warrant we will hit you”. Sir George smiled and replied, “I have been nearer to you, friend, when you missed me”. After short prayers he rose from his knees, opened his shirt and he too invited the enemy to ‘do their worst’.http://www.thesealedknot.org.uk/knowbase/docs/0003_ColSeige.htm
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
. Lisle's execution without trial, following the siege of Colchester
Siege of Colchester
The siege of Colchester occurred in the summer of 1648 when the English Civil War reignited in several areas of Britain. Colchester found itself in the thick of the unrest when a Royalist army on its way through East Anglia to raise support for the King, was attacked by Lord-General Thomas Fairfax...
, came to be regarded as a serious miscarriage of justice and Lisle himself was seen as a martyr to the Royalist cause.
The known facts suggest that Lisle came from London and was related in some way to George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham KG was the favourite, claimed by some to be the lover, of King James I of England. Despite a very patchy political and military record, he remained at the height of royal favour for the first two years of the reign of Charles I, until he was assassinated...
. He gained military experience in the army of the Prince of Orange during the 1630s. He served under Prince Rupert in the Dutch Wars, and was a captain in Lord Grandison's Regiment during the Bishops' War in Scotland. By 1644, Lisle had become a colonel. He was seriously wounded at the Battle of Naseby
Battle of Naseby
The Battle of Naseby was the key battle of the first English Civil War. On 14 June 1645, the main army of King Charles I was destroyed by the Parliamentarian New Model Army commanded by Sir Thomas Fairfax and Oliver Cromwell.-The Campaign:...
, and was knighted by King Charles I
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
at around the same time. Captured by the enemy following the siege of Colchester, he was taken out to be executed, along with his friend Sir Charles Lucas.
Lucas was first to face the firing squad and after long deliberations opened his shirt and encouraged, “Now rebels, do your worst”. Lisle was next, and having kissed his dead comrade invited the firing squad to come closer. The officer in charge exclaimed, “Sir, I warrant we will hit you”. Sir George smiled and replied, “I have been nearer to you, friend, when you missed me”. After short prayers he rose from his knees, opened his shirt and he too invited the enemy to ‘do their worst’.http://www.thesealedknot.org.uk/knowbase/docs/0003_ColSeige.htm