Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford
Together with his ally William Laud, the Earl of Strafford (1593-1641) played a crucial role as Lord-Deputy of Ireland, enforcing the so-called "Thorough" policies in Ireland. He developed and extended the policy of promoting the interests of newly-arrived Protestant settlers from Scotland and England and driving the native Irish from their lands, all in the name of King Charles who, nevertheless, apppears to have allowed him to become a scapegoat for England's woes.
Strafford advanced plans to deploy an Irish army to help subdue the Scots, and when these plans foundered he was impeached for treason. The charge would not stick, so a Bill of Attainder was procured and he was executed. The king could have saved him, but didn't, and apparently suffered remorse afterwards. There is an account of Strafford's career here.
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The Earl of Strafforde's Letters and Dispatches, with an Essay towards his Life by Sir George Radcliffe : From the Originals in the Possession of his Great Grandson the Right Honourable Thomas Earl of Malton, Knight of the Bath. By William Knowler, LL.D. Rector of Irthlingborough. (Volume I, London, Printed for the Editor by William Bowyer, 1739. Folio, pp. [8]+527+[4].) Very good in early binding (rebacked, with endpapers replaced).
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The Earl of Strafforde's Letters and Dispatches, with an Essay towards his Life by Sir George Radcliffe : From the Originals in the Possession of his Great Grandson the Right Honourable Thomas Earl of Malton, Knight of the Bath. By William Knowler, LL.D. Rector of Irthlingborough. (Volume II, London, Printed for the Editor by William Bowyer, 1739. Folio, pp. 439+[4].) Very good in early binding (rebacked, with endpapers replaced).
Both volumes contain the bookplate of G.W. Wentworth, a Victorian descendant of the Earl of Strafford.
Together, Strafford and Laud inflicted suffering in the name of the king and in perpetuation of a policy of strengthening the state by strengthening the Church of England. Both ended their lives under the executioner's axe.