BALFOUR

Sir William Balfour of Pitcullo (c. 1578 – buried 28 July 1660) was a Scottish-born professional soldier who served in the Thirty Years War and with Parliamentarian forces during the War of the Three Kingdoms. He entered Dutch service in the Dutch States Army during the Thirty Years' War fighting with the Scottish brigade until 1627. In that year he became lieutenant-colonel in the Earl of Morton's regiment, took part in the expedition to the isle of Rhé to relieve the Siege of La Rochelle, and was noticed as being one of the officers most favoured by the Duke of Buckingham.

When the parliament raised an army Sir William was appointed lieutenant-general of the horse, under the nominal command of the Earl of Bedford. He commanded the reserve at the Battle of Edgehill, broke several regiments of the king's foot, and captured part of his artillery. Ludlow describes him spiking the king's guns with his own hands, and all accounts agree in praise of his services. He did not take part in the First Battle of Newbury, having gone abroad to try the waters on account of his health.[10] In the spring of 1644 he was detached from the army of Essex with 1,000 horse to reinforce Waller, and shared the command at the victory of New Alresford. His letter of 30 March 1644 to Essex, relating the battle, was ordered to be printed. He then rejoined Essex, accompanied him into Cornwall, and took Weymouth and Taunton (June 1644). When the infantry was forced to surrender, he broke through the king's lines, and "by an orderly and well-governed march passed above 100 miles in the king's quarters", and succeeded in joining General Middleton.

At the Second Battle of Newbury he commanded the right wing of the parliamentary horse.[11] This was Balfour's last public exploit; with the organisation of the New Model Army he retired from military service. The House of Commons appointed a committee "to consider of a fit recompense and acknowledgment of the faithful services done by him to the public" (21 January 1645), and the House of Lords voted the payment of his arrears (£7,000) and specially recommended him to the Commons (21 July). But some intercepted correspondence seems to have awakened suspicions and caused delays in this payment.

He was buried at Church of St Margaret, Westminster Abbey on 28 July 1660.

The figure is wearing three quarter armour.

Figures shown in the coloured pictures are from other packs in the Empress range and are not in this pack.