Mercurius Politicus referred to his. Cromwell the soldier did not, however, glorify war, nor was he unmoved by the sad consequences of it and he was impatient to end it where he could. Writing from Ireland to Lenthall, the Speaker of the House, he said:. The town was fired in three places by the enemy, which we could not put out: and this begat a great trouble to the general and us all, fearing to see so famous a city burnt to ashes before our faces.
Similar sentiments followed the victories of Preston and Dunbar. Cromwell never spoke of war except with a sense of horror and when, with the crowning mercy of Worcester, he could discard the sword, he earnestly sought the settlement which would prevent renewed civil war.
As late as we find him expressing his fear of another war in England:. What hinders this nation from being an Aceldama — a field of blood? I never look to see the people of England come into a just liberty, if another civil war overtake us. Addressing his last parliament in he said:. It were a happy thing if the nation would be content with rule, if it were but in civil things, with those that would rule worst; because misrule is better than no rule, and an ill government, a bad one, is better than none.
The end came on Friday 3 September , the anniversary of Dunbar and Worcester, attended by his doctors, members of his protectoral council, his wife and his son Richard, whom Fauconberg told Henry Cromwell afterwards had been named successor either by a nod or whispered word to his council.
Whether or not we ascribe to him the epithet of hero, we cannot deny greatness, since even his enemies did not do this. But it was his personal servant, John Maidstone, who spoke the final epitaph:. This paper is a slightly revised version of an illustrated lecture delivered at the University of London in PDF version. The First Forty Years Oliver was born at 1. Wedgwood in her great lives biography asserts that at Cambridge he doubtless worked as little and amused himself as much as the young men of his time, which is to say that he worked more and played less than the average undergraduate of today.
Perhaps the most remarkable testimony to the sincere and life-long attachment between Cromwell and his wife is given in a private letter written on Wednesday 4 September , the day after the great victory of Dunbar, when he wrote, My dearest, I have not leisure to write much.
From his daughter and heiress, Elizabeth Olivaria Cromwell, descend the Cromwell Bush family to the present day; Elizabeth , married John Claypole — Betty Claypole had four children but they left no descendants; Mary , married Thomas Lord Fauconberg, died ; Frances , married i Richard Rich, died ii married Sir John Russell — one of the many descendants of Cromwell through his youngest child, Frances Lady Russell, is the present Duchess of Kent.
A letter written in to his cousin Mrs St John clearly confirms this process and the subsequent condemnation of his former self: You know what my manner of life hath been, oh, I lived in and loved darkness, and hated the light; I was chief, the chief of sinners. Thus Wedgwood wrote in her biography: such as he was in before he entered the open field of history, such he was nineteen years later, when as Lord Protector of Great Britain and Ireland he died.
But his energy, personal example and ruthlessness are all the qualities of a great battlefield commander. His triumph won the First English Civil War for Parliament and ensured that monarchs would never again be supreme in British politics. Although the military played a crucial role in his return, the King soon established a new force - the British Army.
Fought between and , these wars were primarily disputes between Crown and Parliament about how the British Isles should be governed. But they also had religious and social dimensions, and witnessed the creation of the first national standing army. Follow this gallery trail to find out what it was really like to live through the British Civil Wars. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Be the first to hear about our latest events, exhibitions and offers.
Simply enter your email address below to start receiving our monthly email newsletter. To find out more about how we collect, store and use your personal information, read our Privacy Policy. National Army Museum 10am - 5.
Toggle navigation. View this object. General Oliver Cromwell at Marston Moor, Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of England, c Commander Cromwell realised instinctively that good quality, disciplined troops, motivated by religious zeal, were the key to victory. The Battle of Naseby, King Charles I, c This approach was unsuccessful and unpopular. January Cromwell agreed to end the system of Major Generals. Cromwell refused the crown, but was confirmed as Lord Protector. February Cromwell dismissed Parliament after more disputes with MPs.
September Cromwell died. His son Richard became Lord Protector, but was forced to retire in May Top of page. The so-called Second Protectorate Parliament, instated in , offered to make Cromwell king.
However, given that he had fought so hard to abolish the monarchy, he refused the post, and was ceremoniously appointed Lord Protector for a second time.
Cromwell died from kidney disease or a urinary tract infection in at age 59 while still serving as Lord Protector. His son Richard Cromwell assumed the post, but was forced to resign due to a lack of support within Parliament or the military. In the leadership vacuum that ensued, George Monck assumed control of the New Model Army and spearheaded the formation of a new Parliament, which proceeded to pass constitutional reforms that re-established the monarchy.
In , Charles II, who had been living in exile, returned to England to assume the throne, thereby beginning the English Restoration. His head was displayed atop a pole outside Westminster Hall for more than 20 years. Reviews in History. Mulraney, Frances. Oliver Cromwell, BBC. Headless story. The Economist. Oliver Cromwell and Family.
Westminster Abbey. Kennedy, M. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! Subscribe for fascinating stories connecting the past to the present. Notable outcomes of the wars included the The history of the legislative body—which meets in the Palace of Westminster in London—shows how it evolved almost organically, partly
0コメント