William Cavendish, 1st Duke of Newcastle-upon-Tyne KG KB PC (16 December 1592/1593 – 25 December 1676) was an English soldier, politician and writer.


Cultured magnate who became commander of Royalist forces in the north of England 1642-4. He lost heart and deserted the King after the defeat at Marston Moor.



Regarded as the finest horseman in Europe, Cavendish wrote a major book on the subject which is still regarded as the work of a true master. He also wrote a fine work, unfinished, on swordsmanship which is also considered a classic. He was a Restoration playwright of the second rank known for his comic, earthy characters, and he wrote endless but not always polished poetry.