ABSTRACT
Sir William Vavasour was the younger son of an important gentleman of Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. He presumably had some military experience before 1640, when he was already a knight and commander of a regiment in the Scottish war. On the outbreak of civil war he was made a member of the Council of War and LieutenantColonel of the royal Lifeguard, but this promising career was interrupted when he was captured at Edgehill.1 * In April 1643, however, he escaped and arrived at Oxford to a hero’s welcome.2 This publicity added to his experience ensured him rapid employment; he was made a baronet and in June given the task of rebuilding Lord Herbert’s demoralised command.3
