He was an officer in the Royalist army during the English Civil War and, as Governor of Worcester, he refused entry to the Parliamentary cavalry shortly before the Battle of Powick Bridge (22 September 1642) — the first cavalry skirmish of the Civil War.
He was educated at Wadham College, Oxford (1620) and trained in the law at the Middle Temple (1622).
[3] The manor of Great Witley passed out of the family, sold by his son Thomas during his lifetime.
[1][5] Russell married Frances Reade, daughter of Sir Thomas Reade of Barton, Berkshire and his wife Mary Brockett, daughter of Sir John Brocket of Brocket Hall, Hertfordshire and had thirteen children.
[3] Samuel Butler a poet who wrote Hudibras was brought up in Russell's house and became his clerk.