Oliver

Cromwell
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• Oliver Cromwell married Elizabeth Bourchier in 1620. Her father was wealthy and owned a lot of
land in Essex.
• Oliver and Elizabeth had nine children together.
• In 1628 Oliver Cromwell became a Member of Parliament. In 1630 he was called before Privy
Council in 1630 after being caught up in a dispute in Huntingdon's gentry.
• In 1631 Oliver Cromwell sold the majority of his property in Huntingdon and moved to St Ives to
a farmstead, which was considered a major step down in social circles. He kept sheep and
chickens and sold the eggs and wool in order to earn a living.
• In 1642 when the English Civil War broke out, Oliver Cromwell was appointed army commander.
The plan was to overthrow King Charles I.
• In 1643 Oliver Cromwell was appointed Lord Protector.
• Oliver Cromwell became a Puritan at some point, with the belief that the Bible should
determine all actions in one's daily life.
• Oliver Cromwell became the New Model Army's second in command in 1645. Victories included
gaining control over Ireland and Scotland.
• Under Oliver Cromwell, Jews were allowed to settle in England. This was the first time in close to
400 years.
• Oliver Cromwell banned religious holidays in 1647 (including Christmas) because he believed
them to be pagan festivals.
• In 1649 King Charles I was executed under the orders of the court, despite many officers not
wanting to go along with it. Oliver signed the order for the execution, followed by the second
officer. The king was executed on January 30th, 1649.
• Following the execution the 'Commonwealth of England' was declared. Rebellions soon followed
and Oliver had to fight these.
• Oliver Cromwell was known for attacking towns and villages as he tried to overthrow Ireland.
• Oliver Cromwell is either loved or hated depending on historical accounts of his actions.
• In 1657 Parliament offered Oliver Cromwell the crown of England after ratifying a new
constitutional settlement but he turned it down as it would have made him a hypocrite.
• Oliver Cromwell died in 1658 from a kidney infection. His son Richard succeeded him as Lord
Protector but he was not very popular.
• In 1659 Richard resigned and King Charles II came out of exile to restore the monarchy.
• Oliver Cromwell's body was exhumed from Westminster Abbey in 1661. He was hanged.