Manchester, Second Earl of

Manchester, Second Earl of 

(Edward Montagu). Born 1602, place unknown; died May 7, 1671, in London. English political figure.

During the English Bourgeois Revolution of the 17th century, Manchester was a leader of the Presbyterians in the Long Parliament. In August 1643 he was appointed commander in chief of the parliamentary forces in the eastern counties; Oliver Cromwell was one of his officers (as commander of the cavalry). As an advocate of an accord with the king, he opposed any stirring up of hostilities against the Royalists. The position of Manchester and his supporters was one of the chief reasons for the failures suffered by the parliamentary troops in the autumn of 1644. In accordance with what was called the self-denying ordinance (adopted by Parliament on Cromwell’s initiative), Manchester and the other Presbyterian military commanders were removed from command early in 1645. Later, Manchester was active in the restoration of the Stuarts.