George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle

His Grace The Duke of Albemarle KG PC JP
c. 1665–1666 portrait by Peter Lely
Lord High Treasurer
In office June 1667 – January 1670
Lord Lieutenant of Middlesex
In office 1662–1670
Custos Rotulorum & Lord Lieutenant of Devon
In office July 1660 – January 1670
Lord Deputy of Ireland
In office June 1660 – February 1662
Member of Parliament for Devon
In office April 1660 – July 1660
Commander-in-Chief Scotland
In office April 1654 – February 1660
General at sea
In office 1652–1653
Personal details
Born	6 December 1608 Potheridge, Devon, England
Died	3 January 1670(1670-01-03) (aged 61) Potheridge, Devon, England
Resting place	Westminster Abbey
Spouse	Anne Clarges (1653–his death)
Children	Christopher Monck, 2nd Duke of Albemarle
Occupation	Professional soldier and naval officer
Signature
Military service
Rank	Captain general
Battles/wars	Anglo-Spanish War (1625–1630) Cádiz expedition (1625) Anglo-French War (1627–1629) St Martin-de-Ré Eighty Years' War Maastricht Breda Wars of the Three Kingdoms Newburn New Ross Nantwich Dunbar Dundee First Anglo-Dutch War Portland The Gabbard Scheveningen Glencairn's rising Second Anglo-Dutch War Four Days' Battle St. James's Day Battle

George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle^[a] (6 December 1608 – 3 January 1670) was an English military officer and politician who fought on both sides during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. A prominent military figure under the Commonwealth, his support was crucial to the 1660 Stuart Restoration of Charles II.

Monck began his military career in 1625 and served in the Eighty Years' War until 1638, when he returned to England. Posted to Ireland as part of the army sent to suppress the Irish Rebellion of 1641, he quickly gained a reputation for efficiency and ruthlessness. After Charles I agreed to a truce with the Catholic Confederacy in September 1643, he was captured fighting for the Royalists at Nantwich in January 1644 and remained a prisoner for the next two years.

Released in 1647, he was named Parliamentarian commander in Eastern Ulster, fought in Scotland under Oliver Cromwell in the 1650 to 1652 Anglo-Scottish War, and served as General at sea during the 1652 to 1654 First Anglo-Dutch War. From 1655 to 1660, he was army commander in Scotland, and his support for moderates in Parliament who wanted to restore the monarchy proved decisive in Charles II regaining his throne in May 1660.

Monck was rewarded by being made Duke of Albemarle and given various senior positions. Illness and lack of interest in politics meant he faded into the background after 1660, but returned to sea during the Second Anglo-Dutch War. He played an important leadership role during the 1665 Great Plague of London, as well as the 1666 Great Fire of London, and died in January 1670.
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