Sir Thomas Armstrong was an English army officer and Member of Parliament executed for treason.
Background
His father, Colonel Sir Thomas Armstrong (died November 1662) fought in the 30 Years War in the Netherlands, was a royalist soldier during the English Civil War, and was twice imprisoned in the Tower of London by Oliver Cromwell during the Commonwealth.
Career
During the Interregnum Armstrong was a supporter of Charles II, participating in the plot to seize Chester Castle in 1655, and carrying funds from Aubrey de Vere, 20th Earl of Oxford to Charles in exile. He was possibly imprisoned for a year on his return. Monmouth"s influence secured him as Member of Parliament for Stafford in March 1679 to the First Exclusion Parliament.
Following the Rye House Plot, in 1683, he was indicted in the Court of King"s Bench for high treason.
A wanted man, Armstrong fled to Cleves and then Rotterdam but was captured in Leiden and sentenced to death by Judge George Jeffreys. Dragged by hurdle to Tower Hill, he was executed by hanging, drawing and quartering on 20 June 1684.
His head was affixed to Westminster Hall, three of his quarters were displayed in London, and the fourth at Stafford.