Thomas Fairfax

Thomas Fairfax, 3rd Lord Fairfax of Cameron (January 17, 1612 – November 12, 1671) is a general and Parliamentary commander-in-chief during the English Civil War.

An adept and talented commander, Fairfax leads Parliament to many victories, notably the crucial Battle of Naseby, becoming effectively military ruler of the new republic, but is eventually overshadowed by his subordinate Oliver Cromwell, who is more politically adept and radical in action against Charles I.

Fairfax becomes unhappy with Cromwell's policy and publicly refuses to take part in Charles's show trial.

Eventually he resigns, leaving Cromwell to control the republic.

Because of this, and also his honorable battlefield conduct and his active role in the Restoration of the monarchy after Cromwell's death, he is exempted from the retribution exacted on many other leaders of the revolution.

His dark hair and eyes and a swarthy complexion earned him the nickname "Black Tom".

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