Robert Hammond (Governor)

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Robert Hammond was originally from Chertsey, Surrey, the son of a physician.

His first service to the Roundhead cause was as a captain in Massey's forces at Gloucester. While there, he was involved in a duel with a fellow officer, a Major Gray, and actually killed him, but was later acquitted, "the provocation being great"

One of the original colonels in the New Model Army commanding a regiment of foot, he was succeeded by his lieutenant-colonel Isaac Ewer in 1647 who had transferred to the New Model Army in April 1645. Hammond was increasingly disgruntled by the growing radicalism of the army, and was glad to be drawn away to serve in a peripheral post.

Hammond then became the Parliamentary Governor of the Isle of Wight, but was soon thrust back into the spotlight when King Charles I of England, forced to flee from Hampton Court on 11 November 1647[1] came to the Isle of Wight. Hammond had been introduced to the King earlier, at which audience he made such protestations of loyalty that Charles came to believe him sympathetic. Hammond, though he wrestled greatly with his conscience, alerted his superiors and confined the king in Carisbrooke Castle. Initially under the guise of protection.[2]

After November 1648 the Council of Officers sent Ewer to relieve Hammond of of his charge of King Charles.

  1. ^ “Message from the King; on His Escape from Hampton Court, that He will appear again if He can be heard, and will give Satisfaction.”, Journal of the House of Lords, vol. 9, London, South East, South West, East, Midlands, North, Scotland, Wales: (History of Parliament Trust), November 12, 1647, pp. 519-522, <http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=37160#s15> 
  2. ^ “Letter from Colonel Hammond, that he has ordered, no Persons shall come in or go outof the Isle of Wight without his Pass;—and desiring the King's former Allowance may be continued to Him.”, Journal of the House of Lords, vol. 9, London, South East, South West, East, Midlands, North, Scotland, Wales: (History of Parliament Trust), November 18, 1647, pp. 531-533, <http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=37165#s16> 
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