William Waller 1598 - 1668
1598 Born and baptised on Dec 3, son of Sir Thomas and Lady Margaret Waller, at Knole House, Kent.
1612 Magdalen Hall, Oxford. William left Oxford without taking his degree. He also contracted smallpox.
Travelled to Italy and joined with the Venetian army in its battle with Archduke Ferdinand of Austria.
1620 Joined Sir Horace Vere's expedition to rescue Frederick the Elector of the Palatine and Elizabeth, Queen of Bohemia, the King's daughter. Waller was dispatched as a Lifeguard to the Queen and helped in her escape to the Hague
1621 Returned to England.
1622 Knighted by King James. Married Jane, daughter of Sir Richard Reynell. Lived at Forde House. A wealthy gentleman and land-owner.
1631 His son Richard was born.
1633 His daughter Margaret was born.
1634 His wife Jane died in Bath. He lost a 'virtuous, discreet, loving and beloved wife'
1636 Death of his 5-year-old son Richard
1637 Married Lady Anne Finch.
1638 The King granted Winchester Castle to Waller.
1641 Took his seat for Andover in the House of Commons.
1642 July 4th. Appointed to the Committee of Safety.

Aug 5. Waller arrived at Portsmouth escorting money for the siege. He stayed with the siege until Goring surrendered the town on Sep 6th.

Waller and his regiment then joined Essex's army which had marched from Northampton.

Oct 23. At Edgehill, Essex placed Waller's regiment on his left wing under the command of James Ramsey. Waller had his horse shot from under him but he escaped harm in the battle. His regiment was scattered by Rupert's charging cavalry.

Nov 11. He attended a meeting of the Committee of Safety.

Dec 1. He takes Farnham Castle from Sir John Denham.

Dec 13. Captures Winchester

Dec 27. After 8 days siege, he takes Chichester

 For his successes in capturing 3 towns, 2 castles and taking over 2,000 prisoners he got the nickname 'William the Conqueror'.
1643 Jan 15. House of Commons thanks him for his 'valour and fidelity'.
Feb 11. Appointed Major-General of the Western Association.

Mar 3. Arrives at Winchester and moves on to Romsey where some of his troops ransack the monastery.

Mar 9. Enters Salisbury to collect horses, weapons and money.

 Worcestershire, Somerset, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire and Shropshire were placed under his command.

Waller started his campaign with a small force - about 1,300 men.
Mar 15. Having marched through Dorset, and then north through Wells and Bath, he enters Bristol. Waller marched by night to conceal the fact that he only had a small force.
Waller's movement in the Spring of 1643
Mar 21. Waller captures Malmesbury

Mar 23. He takes Highnam House from the Welsh defenders.

Apr 4. He marches unopposed into Monmouth. The garrison had withdrawn to Raglan Castle.

Apr 6. Enters Chepstow, capturing the ship 'Dragon of Bristol'

Apr 13. Defeated by Prince Maurice at Ripple Field.

Apr 24. Marched by night to take Hereford.
May 21. A night march to Worcester but he fails to take it and marches back to Gloucester.
 Waller lost about 60 men killed or captured.
Jun 6. Marched south to Bristol and then on to Bath.

Jun 10. Skirmish at Chewton Mendip.

Jun 16. Waller responds to a letter from his old friend Hopton who had asked for a meeting, clearly hoping to persuade him to change sides.

 

 The Marquess of Hertford and Prince Maurice combined armies with Hopton at Chard On Jun 4. The combined Royalist force consisted of 4,000 foot, 2,000 horse, 300 dragoons and 16 cannon.
Dec 2. Journeys to London to try to get extra provisions for his men. Essex sent him back to Farnham.

Dec 13. Captures Alton.