Only in Heaven

At a time when England was rocked by political and military unrest, Sir Arthur Hesilrige was one of Parliament's staunchest patriots. Throughout the nation's greatest turmoil Hesilrige stood against the arbitrary power of Charles I and both Oliver and Richard Cromwell. Deeply involved in the colonization of America, Hesilrige was one of the patentees of Saybrook, Connecticut. With his colleague George Fenwick he developed trade between England and the New World. In 1642, when England erupted in civil war, he was quick to act in defence of his cause, with his famous regiment of plate armour-clad cuirassiers, The Lobsters. 1648 saw Hesilrige become Parliament's authority in the north as Governor of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, responsible for the nation's security against invasion from Scotland. In his later years, with the republic falling into decay, Hesilrige aided George Monck in the restoration of Charles II. However, despite the promise of a pardon, Hesilrige's influence was so strong that the new court considered him too dangerous to live. Imprisoned in the Tower, weakened by years of politics and warfare, he died of fever.