Sir Jacob Astley Quotes

A collection of quotes by Sir Jacob Astley.

Sir Jacob Astley (1579-1652) was an English military commander during the early years of the English Civil War. Born into a gentry family in Norfolk, England, Astley received a quality education and later joined the military. He rose through the ranks and gained recognition for his bravery and strategic skills.

Astley became a loyal supporter of King Charles I and led the royalist forces in several important battles. He played a crucial role in the Battle of Edgehill in 1642, the first major clash of the civil war. Despite being outnumbered, Astley's leadership and tactical brilliance allowed the royalists to hold their ground, resulting in a stalemate.

Known for his pious nature, Astley was often referred to as "Old Gideon" by his troops. He was notably merciful towards captured enemies and earned a reputation for his chivalry and integrity. After fighting in various campaigns, he was eventually captured by Parliamentarian forces in 1646 and imprisoned until the end of the civil war.

Following the royalists' defeat, Astley retired from public life and lived on his estate in Norfolk. He published his memoirs, preserving his experiences and insights into the war. His memoirs, titled "Memoirs of the Lives, Actions, Sufferings, and Deaths of Those Noble, Reverend, and Excellent Personages that Suffered by Death, Sequestration, Decimation, or otherwise, for the Protestant Religion and the Great Principle thereof, Allegiance to their Lawful Sovereign" became an important historical account of the period.

Sir Jacob Astley died in 1652, leaving behind a legacy as a skilled military commander and a man of honor and integrity.