Sir William Waller,
GENERAL OF THE COMMONWEALTH,
Was born at Knolle in 1597, of an ancient family, being the son of Sir Thomas Waller, constable of Dover Castle. He was educated at Magdalen Hall and Hart Hall, Oxford, and subsequently at Paris. He served for some time in the German wars, and on his return was knighted, and elected to serve in Parliament for Andover. On the civil war breaking out, his military talents and experience marked him out for high command, and he became a leading spirit among the parliamentarians. He laid down his commission, however, in 1648, and being of the Presbyterian faction, was one of those inpeached by the army for high treason, and during the time of the Protectorate, was committed to the Tower. On the death of Cromwell, however, he became one of the Council of State, and was elected for Middlesex in the Parliament of 1660. He survived the Restoration eight years, dying at Osterly Park, Middlesex, 19th September, 1668. He was the author of several writings and treatises, amongst them " Divine Meditations upon several Occasions," and a Vindication of his Conduct in taking up arms against the King.
[Wood's "Athenæ Oxon," Vindication of his Character, written by himself; and "Hasted's Kent."]