Sydnam Poyntz
Encyclopedia
Sydnam Poyntz (bap. 1607), Col.-Gen., an English
soldier, served in the Thirty Years' War
under Ernst von Mansfeld
before commanding Parliamentary
forces in the English Civil War
.
Sydenham was the fourth son of John Poyntz of Reigate, Surrey, and his wife Ann. He ran away from an apprenticeship to a London tradesman and became a mercenary, fighting for the Imperial Spanish army under Mansfeld during the Thirty Years' War and rising to the rank of Major General.
In 1645, Poyntz returned to England and entered service with Parliamentary forces in the English Civil War. Poyntz's forces defeated those of Charles I of England
at Rowton Heath.
By 1647, Poyntz was drawn onto Parliament's side of the dispute between it and Oliver Cromwell
's New Model Army
. New Model Army commander Fairfax mistrusted Poyntz and placed spies in Poyntz's camp to foment distrust. Poyntz fled the country when London fell to Army troops. He wrote The Relation of Sydnam Poyntz 1624-1636, an account of his German
experiences.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
soldier, served in the Thirty Years' War
Thirty Years' War
The Thirty Years' War was fought primarily in what is now Germany, and at various points involved most countries in Europe. It was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history....
under Ernst von Mansfeld
Ernst von Mansfeld
Ernst, Graf von Mansfeld , was a German military commander during the early years of the Thirty Years' War.-Biography:...
before commanding Parliamentary
Roundhead
"Roundhead" was the nickname given to the supporters of the Parliament during the English Civil War. Also known as Parliamentarians, they fought against King Charles I and his supporters, the Cavaliers , who claimed absolute power and the divine right of kings...
forces in the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
.
Sydenham was the fourth son of John Poyntz of Reigate, Surrey, and his wife Ann. He ran away from an apprenticeship to a London tradesman and became a mercenary, fighting for the Imperial Spanish army under Mansfeld during the Thirty Years' War and rising to the rank of Major General.
In 1645, Poyntz returned to England and entered service with Parliamentary forces in the English Civil War. Poyntz's forces defeated those of Charles I of England
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
at Rowton Heath.
By 1647, Poyntz was drawn onto Parliament's side of the dispute between it and Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
's New Model Army
New Model Army
The New Model Army of England was formed in 1645 by the Parliamentarians in the English Civil War, and was disbanded in 1660 after the Restoration...
. New Model Army commander Fairfax mistrusted Poyntz and placed spies in Poyntz's camp to foment distrust. Poyntz fled the country when London fell to Army troops. He wrote The Relation of Sydnam Poyntz 1624-1636, an account of his German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
experiences.