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Birth
Oliver Cromwell was born on the 25th April 1599 in Huntingdon, United Kingdom. -
Elected for the Parliament
Cromwell was first elected to Parliament in 1628. He represented Huntingdon. This marked the start of his political career, but he made little impression: parliamentary records show only one speech, which was poorly received. -
Elected again for the Parliament
When King Charles I faced the Scottish rebellion in the Bishops' Wars, lack of funds forced him to form a Parliament again in 1640. Cromwell returned to the Parliament as member for Cambridge, but it lasted for only three weeks and became known as the Short Parliament. A second Parliament was called later the same year, and became known as the Long Parliament. Cromwell returned as member for Cambridge. -
The English Civil War
Although Charles I reconstructed the Parliament, it was a strongly fragile institution. In 1642, an armed conflict began between troops loyal to Parliament against those allied with the monarchy. This was known as the English Civil War, and it was during this time that Cromwell’s career as a military leader was born. Cromwell had no prior training, but he soon led many troops to victory. -
End of the English Civil War
By 1644 Cromwell had risen to the rank of Lieutenant General. In the Battle of Langport and the Battle of Naseby in 1465, he led parliamentary forces to victory. Charles I ultimately surrendered to the Scots in 1646, ending the First English Civil War. -
The Second English Civil War
When the negotiations between the parliamentarians and the royalists clashed, the Second English Civil War started. Cromwell traveled to Ireland to lead troops against forces that were loyal to the King. At this time, Cromwell became more religious and started to believe that his caused was supported by God and that he was chosen to fight for God's will. -
Invasion of Ireland
In the aftermath of the Pride's Purge, the parliamentarians voted to arrest and execute King Charles I. However, the Royalists regrouped, signing a treaty with Catholics in Ireland. This alliance transformed Ireland into Cromwell's next objective. Cromwell led the invasion of Ireland, landing in Dublin in 1649. -
The surrender of the Irish
When the Irish surrendered in 1652, the practice of Catholicism was banned in Ireland and all Catholic-owned land was confiscated and given to Protestant Scottish and English settlers, beginning a long period of suffering and poverty for the Irish people. -
Cromwell's rise to power
With the Scots defeated, Parliament re-formed in 1651. Cromwell sought to establish a united government over England, Scotland and Ireland. Some members opposed and the parliament was dissolved. Then it was established again and dissolved once more in 1655 when some members wanted a constitutional reform. Then Cromwell was offered to become king by the parliament. However, given that he had fought so hard to
end monarchy, he refused, and was named Lord Protector. -
Death
Cromwell died from kidney disease or a urinary tract infection in 1658 at age 59 while still serving as Lord Protector. His son Richard Cromwell assumed the post, but was forced to resign later on.