12 Facts About Edward Massey

Sir Edward Massey, spelt Massie, was an English soldier and politician from Cheshire, who sat in the House of Commons at various times between 1646 and 1674.

Edward Massey fought for Parliament in the First English Civil War, when he became famous for his defence of Gloucester.

Edward Massey was the fifth son of John Massey of Coddington, Cheshire and his wife Anne Grosvenor, daughter of Richard Grosvenor of Eaton, Cheshire.

In 1644, Edward Massey continued to keep the field and to disperse the local Royalists, and on several occasions, he measured swords with Prince Rupert.

Edward Massey then began to take an active part in politics on the Presbyterian side, and was one of the generals who was impeached by the army on the grounds that they were attempting to revive the Civil War in the Presbyterian interests.

Edward Massey fought against Cromwell's army at the bridge of Stirling and Inverkeithing, and commanded the advanced guard of the Royalist army in the invasion of England in 1651.

At the Battle of Worcester, he was seriously wounded, and when Edward Massey realised that his wounds were dangerously slowing King Charles II down during his escape, he persuaded Charles to continue without him, although the king was reluctant to leave him.

Edward Massey was arrested and imprisoned in the Tower of London.

Edward Massey was arrested in England for his part in Booth's Uprising in 1659, but was able to escape for the third time.

In 1660, Edward Massey was elected MP for Gloucester in the Convention Parliament, and was active in preparing for Charles's return.

Edward Massey was unmarried, and died in 1674 at Abbeyleix in Ireland, where he had been granted the manor.

Edward Massey was a close friend of the leading judge Sir Jerome Alexander, another Englishman who had settled in Ireland; Alexander at his death in 1670 left Massey a number of valuables, such as "my cane with the silver head of a rhinoceros".