advice that a Parliament must be summoned. 1641 saw a complete reconciliation between the two men: Bristol with Lord Bedford became leader of the moderate Royalists in the House of Lords, working to achieve a compromise with John Pym, and save the Earl of Strafford's life. After the collapse of the attempt at compromise Bristol came increasingly to be seen as a "hardline" royalist: as such Parliament imprisoned him after the outbreak of the Civil War, although he was later allowed to join the King at Oxford. After the Battle of Edgehill he was one of the "moderate party" who persuaded the King not to attempt to take London, which might have brought the war to a swift conclusion. After the King's defeat, he moved to Paris and died there in 1653 aged 72. Character Clarendon, who knew and liked Bristol, gave this sketch of him: "Of a grave aspect, of a presence which drew respect, and a very handsome man who by the extraordinary favour of King James to his person was Ambassador to Spain before he was 30. Though he was a man of great parts and a wise man in Council he was passionate and supercilious and was too voluminous in discourse so that he was not considered there with much respect." A modern historian praises him as the greatest servant of the English Crown of his generation, but humorously calls him "the terrible earl", on account of his hot temper and intimidating personality. Marriage and progeny Lord Bristol lived at Sherborne Castle, Dorset. He married Beatrice Walcott (died 1658), widow of Sir John Dyve of Bromham, Bedfordshire, in 1609 and they had four surviving children: George Digby, 2nd Earl of Bristol Mary Digby (1612–1648), who married as his 2nd wife Arthur Chichester, 1st Earl of Donegall (1606–1674). She bore him six sons and one daughter, all of whom died in infancy. She died on 5 November 1648 whilst giving birth to a second daughter stillborn. She was buried in Eggesford Church, Devon, where is situated her memorial effigy. John Digby (1618–1664) Abigail Digby (d 1640), married George Freke of Sherbourne, Dorset (son of John Freke) and bore one son, John. Through her previous marriage, Lady Bristol was the mother of the prominent Royalist Sir Lewis Dyve. Digby was the uncle of Sir Kenelm Digby, English courtier, diplomat and a highly reputed natural philosopher. References External links