George Digby, the son of the Earl of Bristol, was born in 1612. Elected to the House of Commons he was an opponent of Charles I until the arrest of Thomas Wentworth, Earl of Strafford. He now became a close associate of the king and recommended the arrest of the Five Members (Arthur Haselrig, John Pym, John Hampden, Denzil Holles and William Strode) in January 1642.

On the outbreak of the Civil War Digby joined the Cavaliers and fought at Edgehill (October, 1642). He was given command of the Royalist northern forces and after being defeated in 1645 he sought refuge in France.

Digby became a close adviser to Charles II and served as his Secretary of State in exile. He was dismissed from this post after becoming a Roman Catholic in 1657. George Digby, 2nd Earl of Bristol, died in 1677.