GORING, GEORGE, Lord (1608-57). An Eng lish Royalist, son of George, Earl of Norwich. (See NORWICH. ) He married Lettice, daughter of the Earl of Cork, by whose influence he re ceived a post in the Dutch service. He was wounded at Breda (1637), was appointed Gover nor of Portsmouth (1639), and served in both Scotch wars. He took part in the first Army plot, hoping to become lieutenant-general; but played the conspirators false as soon as he saw that his advancement was not certain. But he was never really allied with Parliament, and in 1641 had made his peace with the King. He tried to get money both from the King and from Parliament; but in the fall of 1642 declared openly for the King. A month later Portsmouth was captured, and Goring fled to Holland, and there tried to advance the King's interest. In 1643 he landed in England, and after defeating Fairfax at Seacroft Moor was captured by him at Wakefield, and sent to the Tower; but was finally exchanged. In 1644 he commanded the left wing at Marston Moor, and was in the sec ond battle of Newbury. His intrigues against
Rupert, to win himself a command and to make himself indispensable, were grave factors in the defeat of the Royalist cause. He went so far as to quarrel openly with Prince Charles's coun sel when the Prince came to take command in the west. He was forced to leave the siege of Taunton to meet Fairfax, after Naseby, and was defeated by him again at Longport (1645). Gor ing retreated to the north, and left the Parlia mentary Army without opposition. Soon after he went to France on a plea of ill health, but probably hoping to get command of an army which was being raised by the Queen. He served in the English regiments in the Netherlands, but later tried to get some help for Charles II. in Spain, and died there. He was a good officer, but famed more for flashes of ability and insight than for steadiness and application.