Oliver Cromwell

Oliver Cromwell was born on April 25, 1599 in Huntingdon, Huntingshire, England, to parents Elzabeth Stuart and Robert Cromwell. He came from a wealthy and influential family in East Anglia. His father, Robert Cromwell, had a prestigious lineage tracing back to Thomas Cromwell, the 'Earl of Essex' appointed by King Henry VIII in 1540. This event is significant as Oliver Cromwell later became the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland.

Oliver Cromwell, a skilled cavalry commander who later became the head of Parliament's New Model Army and the Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland, was born on September 25, 1599.

In 1616, Oliver Cromwell started his academic journey by entering Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge.

Robert's death in June 1617 caused Cromwell to leave Cambridge without completing his degree to return home and support his mother and sisters.

Oliver Cromwell married Elizabeth Bourchier on 22 August 1620 at St Giles-without-Cripplegate, Fore Street, London. The marriage brought Cromwell into contact with influential figures crucial to his military and political career.

In 1628, Oliver Cromwell entered the political arena by becoming a Member of Parliament for Huntingdon.

King Charles I established the Long Parliament on December 4, 1640, in order to secure funds for the Bishops' Wars. This event marked a significant political development during the reign of King Charles I.

On December 9, 1640, Oliver Cromwell became a member of the Parliament. Cromwell played a significant role in the English Civil War and later became the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland.

During the worst atrocities in Ireland, over 50,000 men, women, and children were killed, deported as prisoners of war, or sent as indentured servants to Bermuda and Barbados. These actions were carried out under the command of other generals after Cromwell had left for England.

During the Battle of Edgehill on October 23, 1642, Cromwell made his first appearance as a captain with his troop, under the command of Robert Devereux, 3rd earl of Essex, marking a significant moment in the early stages of the English Civil War.

In June 1645, Oliver Cromwell was elevated to the position of Lieutenant-General in the New Model Army, a pivotal moment in his military career.

In February 1647, Oliver Cromwell fell ill, leading to his absence from political life for over a month. During this time, Parliamentarians became divided over the issue of the King, with a majority pushing for a settlement that Cromwell opposed due to its Presbyterian nature.

In June 1647, a troop of cavalry led by Cornet George Joyce seized King Charles I from Parliament's custody. This event prompted Cromwell to engage in negotiations with the King to determine the conditions under which his authority could be restored.

During the autumn of 1647, the Putney Debates took place, involving heated discussions between factions such as the Levellers and key figures like Cromwell and Ireton. The debates centered around demands for political equality and ultimately ended without a resolution.

Oliver Cromwell was one of the main signatories on King Charles I's death warrant, marking a significant event in British history.

In 1649, Oliver Cromwell's campaign in Ireland led to massacres at Drogheda and Wexford, where Catholic soldiers and civilians were slaughtered. Cromwell defended these actions as necessary for war strategy and to encourage surrenders in other areas.

In September 1649, Cromwell's contemporary reports to London listed the slaying of 3,000 military personnel in Ireland, followed by the phrase 'and many inhabitants'. He justified his actions as revenge for the massacres of Protestant settlers in Ulster in 1641.

After receiving word that Charles II had landed in Scotland and been proclaimed King, Oliver Cromwell returned to England from Youghal on 26 May 1650 to counter this threat.

On 3 September 1650, Oliver Cromwell's troops unexpectedly defeated the main Scottish army at the Battle of Dunbar, killing 4,000 Scottish soldiers, taking 10,000 prisoners, and capturing the Scottish capital of Edinburgh.

The Battle of Dunbar took place on 3rd September 1651.

Under the Instrument of Government passed by Parliament, Oliver Cromwell was appointed Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland in 1653.

On April 20, 1653, Oliver Cromwell dissolved the Long Parliament after suggesting to re-elect members due to public dissatisfaction with high taxes. The Parliament members agreed to add new members, but this change was insignificant. This event highlighted Cromwell's belief in his own authority over Parliament.

The Battle of Worcester occurred on 3rd September 1653.

Oliver Cromwell was appointed as the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland after his victory in the war for Parliament. Despite his initial intentions of promoting equality and eliminating absolute monarchy, Cromwell's rule turned dictatorial, leading to the dissolution of Parliament and his consolidation of power.

Cromwell emphasized the need to 'heal and settle' the nation in his speech to the First Protectorate Parliament on 3 September 1654. Despite his intentions, the Parliament began pushing for radical reforms, leading to its dissolution in 1655.

Oliver Cromwell became the Lord Protector on 16th December 1654.

In September 1656, Oliver Cromwell met with the second Protectorate Parliament.

In March to June 1657, Oliver Cromwell rejected Parliament's offer of the crown and remained Lord Protector.

Oliver Cromwell was ceremonially re-installed as Lord Protector at Westminster Hall, using symbols and regalia similar to a coronation. The event marked the replacement of the Instrument of Government with the Humble Petition and Advice, granting Cromwell new rights and powers.

In 1658, Oliver Cromwell, who ruled Great Britain for five years with a military dictatorship, died, leaving the commonwealth deeply divided.

Oliver Cromwell was inaugurated as the Lord Protector in Westminster Abbey on June 14, 1658.

Oliver Cromwell passed away on September 3, 1658. His death marked the end of his tenure as Lord Protector and a significant chapter in English history.

Richard Cromwell, son of Oliver Cromwell, resigned from his position as Lord Protector in May 1659 due to his lack of political and military power compared to his father. His resignation marked the effective end of the Protectorate.

The lack of clear leadership in the Commonwealth after Richard Cromwell's resignation led to the restoration of Parliament and the monarchy in 1660 under Charles II. This marked the end of the Protectorate and the return to a monarchical system of government in England.

Oliver Cromwell was exhumed and posthumously 'executed' on the 30th of January in 1661.

Oliver Cromwell died at Whitehall on the 3rd of September in 1661.

During a storm in 1685, Oliver Cromwell's head reportedly fell from the spike it was displayed on and was thrown to the ground. This event led to the head being passed through various private and museum collections before eventually being buried at Sydney Sussex College at Cambridge University.

A terracotta bust of Oliver Cromwell can be found in the Queen’s House, believed to have been made in 1732. The bust is part of a collection of eight English 'heroes' sculptures commissioned by Sir Edward Littleton.

A terracotta bust of Oliver Cromwell can be found in the Queen’s House, believed to have been made between 1755 and 1757. The bust is part of a collection of eight English 'heroes' sculptures commissioned by Sir Edward Littleton.

In 1960, Oliver Cromwell's remains were bequeathed to his old Cambridge College. They were buried near Sidney Sussex chapel, marking the end of a controversial journey for his body.

In 2011, the 350th anniversary of the execution of Oliver Cromwell, the Lord Protector of England, was commemorated. Cromwell was executed two and a half years after his death.