Henry Ireton (1611-1651), Parliamentary general

Sitter associated with 16 portraits
A leading Parliamentarian and an austere Puritan, Ireton was one of Cromwell's ablest supporters, noted for his powers of leadership and for his political integrity. He married Bridget, Cromwell's daughter, in 1646. Noted for his strong leadership and political integrity, he strove to formulate an acceptable constitution which would restore Charles I with reduced power until, tired of the King's apparent duplicity, he became one of the leading advocates for his execution. As Lord Deputy in Ireland from 1650, he followed up Cromwell's ruthless campaign there with a brutal policy of deliberate mass starvation.