| Thomas Lord Grey 1623 � 1657 Thomas Grey was born in Leicestershire at Bradgate House and park. He was the eldest son of the 1st Earl of Stamford (direct descendants of Lady Jane Grey, the nine day queen). In 1642 he was appointed Major General of the Midland association and fought at Edgehill on Essexs right wing. As an MP for Leicester he belonged to one of the most powerful families in the Midlands. The Grey Family were related to the Earl of Essex and Thomas seems to have been a suurogate son to him. His Regiment of Foote consisted of five companies and in Lord Greys absence, the Colonels company was commanded by his cousin Col Henry Grey. As well as being present at Edgehill, he also took a detachment to the aid of Essex and so helped him to prevent the fall of Gloucester. He was the present at the first battle of Newbury. One of Lord Greys passwords for obtaining passage through Leicester and surrounding towns was �God prosper us�. During his military career his colours were of various designs, most were �Red of Blue� and bore the motto �Per Bellum ad Pacem�. This meant �Through War to Peace�. At times most of his regiments, which included Horse, Dragoone and Foote, were garrisoned in and around the midlands and at one time amassed to around 4000 men. Having took the �self denying ordinance� in late 1644, he continued to command some of his own forces but a large body of his men were amalgamated to the New Model Army. From 1645 to the end of the war he continued to command his garrisons in and around the midlands but also concentrated on building his political connections both in the army and in Parliament. When Charles the First was brought to trial, Lord Grey sat as a member of the High Court of Justice. Lord Grey was second to sign the death warrant after John Bradshaw ( the president of the court). After the trial, he was appointed a member of the council state and was described at the time to be at most sympathy with the Levellers. He took up his military career again by raising forces for parliament and was present at the Battle of Worcester. For his service to the Parliament cause he was awarded many houses and land in London and for a time was the owner of Holdenby house and Coombe Abbey. In 1657 he died, most probably of gout at the young age of 34, thus never becoming the second Earl of Stamford. This was left to his son, also named Thomas |
| Thomas Lord Grey 1623 � 1657 |
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