George Goring (1608–1657) de Florene S. Memegalos

George Goring (1608–1657): Caroline Courtier and Royalist General

Florene S. Memegalos

George Goring was in many ways the archetypal cavalier, often portrayed as possessing all the worst characteristics associated with the followers of King Charles I. He drank copiously, dressed and entertained lavishly, gambled excessively, abandoned his wife frequently, and was quick to resort to swordplay when he felt his honour was at stake. Yet, he was also an active Member of Parliament and a respected soldier, who learnt his trade on the Continent during the Dutch Wars, and put his expertise to good use in support of the royalist cause during the English Civil War.

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Recenzii

’... Memegalos has written a useful and pioneering book.’ Renaissance Quarterly ’Memegalos has produced an impressive study of two men of early Stuart England. Her research is impeccable. ... Memegalos has allowed Goring to regain his reputation as one of the first English Civil War’s most competent and brave cavalry commanders. Since the book covers court and family history, in addition to military affairs, it should attract and hold the attention of readers averse to the stories of armies. In addition, it serves as model of how thorough research can overcome centuries of prejudice.’ H-Albion ’Florene Memegalos's biography of Colonel George Goring is old-fashioned English military history at its most enjoyable.’ Journal of Military History ’Memegalos has made a very careful and thorough job of reconstructing Goring's life from a wide range of primary sources, many of them in manuscript, and the result is a plausible and nuanced portrait... overall the book is an impressive achievement and an important addition to the growing literature on mid-seventeenth-century Royalism. The book also shows the real value of the biographical approach... The quality of this book demonstrates not only the value of such biographical studies but also the need for more of them in the future.’ American Historical Review ’In this impressive study of Goring’s colourful and ultimately tragic life the author has rescued his reputation from much at least of the notoriety that has surrounded it.’ English Historical Review ’Memeglaos has supplied us with a splendid and well-researched biography of this complex and intriguing man and one that is highly commended.’ Arquebusier

Notă biografică

Florene S. Memegalos lectures on British and European history at Hunter College, City University of New York, USA. She received degrees in languages and history from Georgetown University, Washington DC, and also studied in Barcelona, Spain, and Munich, Germany. She had a career in international airline management before completing her PhD at the Graduate School, CUNY. She has written for Military History; MHQ: The Quarterly Journal of Military History; Studies on the Soviet Union; and the Colonial America Encyclopedia.

Cuprins

Introduction; 1: Family Fortunes, to 1628; 2: A Young Man of the World, 1628–1633; 3: In the Service of the Dutch, 1633–1637; 4: Service at Portsmouth and in the Bishops' Wars, 1638–1640; 5: Colonel Goring and the Army Plot, November 1640–December 1641; 6: The Outbreak of War: Choosing Sides, 1642; 7: Victory, Defeat and Imprisonment, January 1643–March 1644; 8: Return to the North and Marston Moor, April–July 1644; 9: Campaigning with King Charles at Lostwithiel and Second Newbury, July–October 1644; 10: An Independent Command, November 1644–April 1645; 11: Generalissimo of the West, May–June 1645; 12: Defeat and Withdrawal, July–December 1645; 13: Years of Exile: Sword for Hire, 1646–1657; Conclusion

Descriere

This first modern biography of George Goring, traces his life from its comfortable Sussex beginnings to the intrigues of court life, where he developed a reputation for drinking, gambling and fighting. It also charts his exploits on the continent, where he commanded a regiment in the service of the Dutch service, culminating in the siege of Breda. The remainder of the book relates his service to the Royalist cause during the English Civil War, and subsequent exile during the Commonwealth period. By reassessing the life of George Goring, not only do we learn more about an extraordinary individual, but much light is thrown upon the social, political, military and international history of the first half of the seventeenth century.