Rupert of the Rhine, Prince (1619-82). Rupert was born in Prague, son of the ‘Winter King’ Frederick V and Elizabeth, Charles I's sister. He developed his martial skills as an imperial cavalry commander in the Thirty Years War, before coming to England to fight for Charles I and the royalist cause during the British civil wars. The popular perception of Rupert's military career is one of impetuosity, rashness, and wanton glory-seeking. The reality was somewhat different. He was a popular commander and military organizer with a real flair for cavalry tactics and, moreover, was an intelligent linguist and artist. Nevertheless, his popularity resulted in resentment at court and despite many successes such as Charlgrove Field (1645) and Newark (1644) he was increasingly to become a scapegoat for the decline of royalist fortunes, particularly after Marston Moor and Naseby. Charles eventually relieved Rupert of all responsibilities and ordered him into exile. Although they were later reconciled, Rupert did not regain a field command.

During the interregnum he served as a royalist admiral, and after the restoration he played a leading part in naval reform, commanding the fleet against the Dutch in 1673 before retiring to spend his time in scientific research. He never married, but fathered a daughter with the engaging if giveaway name Ruperta. Dogs were his lifelong passion and his beloved ‘Boy’ was one of the casualties of Marston Moor. The London Gazette of the 1660s has frequent advertisements for the return of lost dogs ‘belonging to H. H. Pr. Ru.’.

— John Buckley/Richard Holmes

The Oxford Companion to Military History. Copyright © 2001, 2004 by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.