11 Facts About Richard Rumbold

Richard Rumbold was a Parliamentarian soldier and political radical, exiled for his role in the 1683 Rye House Plot and later executed for taking part in the 1685 Argyll's Rising.

Richard Rumbold reached the rank of Captain before being dismissed from the army after the 1660 Restoration.

Richard Rumbold had a brother, William, who took part in Monmouth's Rebellion but was pardoned in 1688.

Richard Rumbold joined the Parliamentarian army in 1642 and served throughout the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, joining the New Model Army when it was set up in 1645.

At some point, Richard Rumbold lost an eye, though it is unclear if this was a battle injury, and as a result was known to his friends as Hannibal.

Richard Rumbold was a Baptist, a sect particularly prominent in the New Model, and closely associated with the radical Leveller movement.

Richard Rumbold was dismissed from the army with the rank of captain at the 1660 Restoration.

Richard Rumbold remained politically active after the Restoration, and was prominent within radical circles, many of whom were Baptists and New Model veterans.

Richard Rumbold was reportedly given the task of killing Charles, although there is considerable debate as to how serious it was, or what its objectives were.

Unfortunately, Argyll's Rising failed to attract significant support, and was fatally compromised by divisions among the rebel leadership, Richard Rumbold being one of the few to emerge with any credit.

Ayloffe was executed later that year in London along with Nelthorpe, who served with Monmouth, as did William Richard Rumbold, pardoned in 1688 for his participation.