Thomas Fairfax (Cromwell the Great)

Thomas Fairfax, 3rd Lord Fairfax of Cameron (17 January 1612 – 12 November 1671) was a general and Parliamentary commander-in-chief during the English Civil War. An adept and talented commander, Fairfax led Parliament to many victories, notably the crucial battle of Naseby, becoming effectively military ruler of the new republic, but was eventually overshadowed by his subordinate Oliver Cromwell, who was more politically adept and radical in action against Charles I. Fairfax became unhappy with Cromwell's policy and publicly refused to take part in Charles's show trial. Eventually he resigned leaving Cromwell to control the republic.

In 1654 Fairfax was elected MP for the newly created constituency of West Riding in the First Protectorate Parliament. He received a pension of £5,000 a year, and lived in retirement at his Yorkshire home of Nunappleton until after the death of the Lord Protector in 1658.

Political career
Member of Parliament for Cirencester (February-December 1648), Yorkshire-West Riding (September 1654 - January 1655), Yorkshire (August 1659-1662), member of the Other House (1662-1663), named Senator (1663-...).

Member of the council of State (1649-1650). named Lord of Mann for the period 1651–1660.