Sir Thomas Lunsford c.1611-56 Tough Royalist soldier with a
fearsome and highly-exaggerated reputation. Born into a decayed
gentry family of East Hoathly in Sussex, Lunsford had a
reputation as a swaggering ruffian "who neither fears God nor
man". In 1633, he was indicted for the attempted murder of a
neighbour, Sir Thomas Pelham, but escaped from Newgate Prison
and fled to the Continent. In his absence, Lunsford was fined
£8,000 and outlawed for failing to appear before the Court of
Star Chamber. Meanwhile, he joined the French army and became
colonel of a regiment of foot. On the outbreak of the Bishops'
Wars in 1639, Lunsford returned to England and offered his
services to King Charles, who pardoned him and remitted his
fine. He became a favourite of the King after fighting
courageously at the disastrous battle of Newburn in August 1640.
During the riots and disturbances in London in December 1641,
Lunsford was appointed Lieutenant of the Tower of London, but
the appointment was so unpopular that he was re