Prince Rupert of the Rhine was a noted soldier, admiral, scientist, sportsman, colonial governor and amateur artist during the 17th century. Rupert was a younger son of Frederick V, Elector Palatine, and Elizabeth Stuart, the older brother of Electress Sophia, and nephew of King Charles I of England, who created him Duke of Cumberland and Earl of Holderness.

Prince Rupert had a varied career. He was a soldier from a young age, fighting against Spain in the Netherlands during the Eighty Years' War (1568-1648), and against the Holy Roman Empire in Germany during the Thirty Years War (1618-48). Aged 23, he was appointed commander of the Royalist cavalry during the English Civil War, becoming the archetypical Cavalier of the war and ultimately the senior Royalist general. He surrendered after the fall of Bristol and was banished from England. He served under Louis XIV of France against Spain, and then as a Royalist privateer in the Caribbean. Following the Restoration, Rupert returned to England, becoming a senior British naval commander during the Second and Third Anglo-Dutch wars, engaging in scientific invention, art, and serving as the first Governor of the Hudson's Bay Company. Prince Rupert died in England in 1682, aged 62.... More • http://en.wikipedia. ... _the_Rhine View • Books • Images • Videos • Search Related • Founders • Pirates • Royalty • Sailors • Scientists • Soldiers • Canada • Colonialism • Czech • December 17 • Enlightenment • Great Britain • Piracy • Rulers • Sagittarius • Slavery • York • 17th Century • People