born Dec. 17, 1619, Prague, Bohemia
died Nov. 29, 1682, London, Eng.
Royalist commander in the English Civil Wars .
Son of the Palatine elector Frederick V and Elizabeth, daughter of James I of England, Rupert became a favourite of his uncle, Charles I , whom he joined in England in 1642. In the English Civil Wars, he was given command of the cavalry and became known for his daring tactics in winning victories at Bristol (1643) and in Lancashire (1644). He met defeat at the Battle of Marston Moor but was appointed commander of the king's army. When he surrendered Bristol (1645), he was dismissed and then banished from England. He commanded a small Royalist fleet that preyed on English shipping (164850), then retired to Germany (165360). With the Restoration (1660), he was given naval commands in the Anglo-Dutch Wars . He was a founder and first governor of the Hudson's Bay Co.