Some More Parliamentarian Command

Those tempted to purchase from Naismith should check the status of the company on internet forums, as service can be sporadic at times. The Naismith-Roundway website has gone, and the domain is available to purchase. 

Sadly, it does now look like Naismith have disappeared. However a limited stock of Naismith ECW can be found in stock at KeepWargaming (no limbers I'm afraid, as I've just bought the last packs). They do have the personality packs listed as in stock.

In the interests of balance, here's some more Parliamentarian commanders. Like their Royalist counterparts these are also Naismith sculpts. My observations from the Royalist personality pack stands for these too - beautiful sculpts but they do lack an element in size consistency (in this case heft). These, like the Royalist Naismith commanders, have been mounted upon replacement horses.

Rather than being representative of Essex, Fairfax and Cromwell these figures have been painted to represent Major General Sir Richard Browne, Commissary General John Lambert, and Thomas Lord Grey of Groby.

I think this was meant to be Essex

Sir Richard Browne, or as the Royalist propaganda merchants would call him "the Woodmonger" or "Faggot-Monger Browne" on account of him being a coal and wood merchant had joined the Honourable Artillery Company in 1622 and was the senior captain in the Orange regiment of the London Trained Bands when the First Civil War broke out in August 1642.

He assisted in the disarming of the Royalist gentry of Kent in September 1642 then marched with the Trained Bands to join Sir William Waller at the capture of Winchester. Promoted to colonel, Browne became active in enforcing security in London by suppressing demonstrations against the war. In December 1643, Browne was appointed major-general of a brigade of Trained Bands and auxiliary regiments sent to reinforce Waller's army in the south.

Browne was appointed governor of Abingdon, from where he directed operations against Royalist forces around Oxford. However, he complained to Parliament that his men were mutinous and unruly owing to a lack of supplies and pay. From September to December 1644, Lord Digby secretly tried to persuade Browne to surrender Abingdon in return for a baronetcy. Browne feigned interest while using the time to finish the defensive works around Abingdon and to acquire supplies and reinforcements from London. In January 1645, Browne repulsed a surprise attack on Abingdon led by Prince Rupert. In May 1645, Browne joined forces with Lieutenant-General Cromwell to shadow the King's Oxford army on its march north, but relations between the two commanders were tense. Browne joined General Fairfax at the first siege of Oxford in June 1645. He would be arrested and imprisoned as part of Pride's Purge, but would return to Parliament during the Second and Third Protectorates. At the Restoration Browne led the royal procession into London. He was knighted by Charles II, made a baronet in July 1660 and elected lord mayor of London in October. His military expertise and loyalty were recognised with his appointment as major-general of the London militia. 

Most likely the Cromwell from the pack?

At the outbreak of the English Civil War, John Lambert joined Parliament's Northern Association army under Ferdinando, Lord Fairfax and quickly rose to the rank of colonel.

In April 1644, Lambert joined forces with the Fairfaxes and Sir John Meldrum for an attack on Selby that forced the Yorkshire Royalists to withdraw to York. He was second-in-command of the Yorkshire horse at the battle of Marston Moor (July 1644). Lambert's cavalry were on the Parliamentarian right wing, which was routed by Lieutenant-General Goring, but Lambert and a few steadfast troopers remained with Sir Thomas Fairfax when he forced his way through the Royalist lines to join Cromwell on the victorious Parliamentarian left flank.

When Fairfax was appointed captain-general of the New Model Army in 1645, Lambert took command of the Northern Association but would later be replaced by Major-General Poyntz. He transferred to the New Model as a colonel of foot in January 1646.

In July 1647, soldiers of the Northern Association, in solidarity with the New Model, seized Poyntz, and sent him to Fairfax as a prisoner. Lambert was ordered back to his old command to replace Poyntz. Already well-known and popular with the northern troops, Lambert quickly restored order and discipline.

Lambert was second-in-command to Cromwell at the battle of Preston in August 1648. Promoted to Major-General, Lambert went as second-in-command on Cromwell's invasion of Scotland in 1650 against Charles II and the Covenanters. According to some accounts, he formulated the battle plan that led to the stunning English victory at Dunbar in September 1650. He refused to take the oath of loyalty when Cromwell was installed as Lord Protector for life and was ordered to resign his commissions in July 1657.

Fiercely opposed to the Restoration Lambert tried to rally the 'old cause' but would be captured and imprisoned for the rest of his life.

Which means this figure is meant to be Fairfax.

Thomas, Lord Grey of Groby was the son of the Earl of Stamford. Raising a regiment of foot at the same time and same place as his father . His father's regiment wore blue coats, so it is often assumed that Lord Grey's foot wore blue also. Appointed Commander of the Midlands Counties Association he would resign his position due to the Self Denying Ordinance. Lord Grey assisted with Pride's Purge (pointing out 'obnoxious' members who were to be removed from the house), he was also a supporter of the Levellers. He served as one of the Judges against King Charles I; as Grey was the only peer present in the House he was given precedence and signed the King's death warrant after Bradshaw.

Implicated in a Leveller plot to assassinate Cromwell, he was imprisoned for a time before dying in 1657.His father used his influence to stop Grey's body from being exhumed and executed as a regecide.

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