Sir Edward Harwood (1586?–1632) was an English military officer who was known for his role as commander in fighting in the

Netherlands ) , anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau") , image_map = , map_caption = , subdivision_type = Sovereign state , subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands , established_title = Before independence , established_date = Spanish Netherl ...

, and for his religious views.

Life

He was born about 1586, in

Norfolk Norfolk () is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in East Anglia in England. It borders Lincolnshire to the north-west, Cambridgeshire to the west and south-west, and Suffolk to the south. Its northern and eastern boundaries are the No ...

, and had an extended military career, entering Dutch service at age 13, gaining a company after combat at the

Siege of Ostend The siege of Ostend was a three-year siege of the city of Ostend during the Eighty Years' War and the Anglo–Spanish War. A Spanish force under Archduke Albrecht besieged the fortress being held initially by a Dutch force which was reinforc ...

. He took part in the Sluis campaign in 1604 under

Horace Vere Horace Vere, 1st Baron Vere of Tilbury (1565 – 2 May 1635) (also ''Horatio Vere'' or ''Horatio de Vere'') was an English military leader during the Eighty Years' War and the Thirty Years' War, a brother of Francis Vere. He was sent to the Pa ...

and was ranked captain by 1606 after the siege of Rheinberg. He became

colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge of ...

of an English regiment in the Netherlands in 1622/3, by purchase from Viscount L'Isle; and was then one of the four standing colonels in the Low Countries. He was shot at the siege of Maastricht in 1632. His brother George Harwood belonged to the Feoffees for Impropriations. Harwood was known as a lay supporter of Puritanism. In Dutch affairs leading up to the

Synod of Dort The Synod of Dort (also known as the Synod of Dordt or the Synod of Dordrecht) was an international Synod held in Dordrecht in 1618–1619, by the Dutch Reformed Church, to settle a divisive controversy caused by the rise of Arminianism. The fi ...

, and at that time lieutenant-colonel in Viscount L'Isle's regiment, he was briefing George Abbot. He intervened in 1622 to secure the appointment of

William Ames William Ames (; Latin: ''Guilielmus Amesius''; 157614 November 1633) was an English Puritan minister, philosopher, and controversialist. He spent much time in the Netherlands, and is noted for his involvement in the controversy between the Cal ...

at the

University of Franeker The University of Franeker (1585–1811) was a university in Franeker, Friesland, the Netherlands. It was the second oldest university of the Netherlands, founded shortly after Leiden University. History Also known as ''Academia Franekerensis'' o ...

; and he also supported

John Burges John Burges (Burgess) (1563–1635) was an English clergyman and physician. He held nuanced reformist views on the vexed questions of the time, on clerical dress and church ceremonies. His preaching offended James I of England, early in his reign, ...

. He was a significant international connection for Puritans. Harwood signed the Second Virginia Charter of 1609. He was also involved in the Somers Isles Company, and was a charter member of the Providence Island Company.

Memorial

In 1636, friends of Sir Edward Harwood had a memorial plaque erected in the Cloister Church in

The Hague The Hague ( ; nl, Den Haag or ) is a city and municipality of the Netherlands, situated on the west coast facing the North Sea. The Hague is the country's administrative centre and its seat of government, and while the official capital of ...

, where he was buried.Leiden University
Memorial to Sir Edward Harwood
at website on the “Dutch Revolt” (webpage visited: 2018-08-28)

Works

In 1642, his brother George Harwood, a merchant of London, published ''The Advice of Sir E. Harwood, written by King Charles his Command, upon occasion of the French King's preparation, and presented in his life time by his owne hand, to his Majestie: … also a Relation of his life and death'', by

Hugh Peters Hugh Peter (or Peters) (baptized 29 June 1598 – 16 October 1660) was an English preacher, political advisor and soldier who supported the Parliamentary cause during the English Civil War, and became highly influential. He employed a flamboyant ...

, &c., London. It was reprinted in ''

Harleian Miscellany ''The Harleian Miscellany'' is a collection of material from the library of the Earl of Oxford and Earl Mortimer collated and edited by Samuel Johnson and William Oldys between 1744 and 1753 on behalf of the publisher Thomas Osborne. Its subtit ...

'', ed. Park. Peters met Harwood around 1630, and may have acted as his chaplain.

References

;Attribution * *

External links

Translation
of the memorial inscription to Harwood in the Kloosterkerk,

.
Biography
{{DEFAULTSORT:Harwood, Edward 1586 births 1632 deaths English army officers 17th-century English Puritans