Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) was an accomplished cavalry commander, then head of Parliament's New Model Army, and finally Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland. The latter title was awarded to Cromwell for life after the bloody conclusion of the English Civil Wars (1642-1651) and the execution of King Charles I of England (r. 1625-1649).
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Definition
Timeline
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25 Apr 1599Oliver Cromwell is born in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.
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22 Aug 1620Oliver Cromwell marries Elizabeth Bourchier.
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1628Oliver Cromwell represents a Cambridgeshire borough as a Member of Parliament.
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1640Oliver Cromwell represents Cambridge as a Member of Parliament.
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1640The Short and Long Parliaments debate funds for an army for Charles I of England.
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1642 - 1651The English Civil Wars between Parliamentarians ('Roundheads') and Royalists ('Cavaliers').
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Jan 1642Charles I of England attempts to arrest five Members of Parliament and the Earl of Manchester.
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Aug 1642 - 1646The First English Civil War.
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2 Jul 1644The Parliamentarians, with the help of Scottish troops, defeat the Royalists at the Battle of Marston Moor during the English Civil Wars.
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27 Oct 1644The indecisive Second Battle of Newbury during the English Civil Wars.
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4 Feb 1645The English Parliament motions to form a new professional fighting force, the New Model Army.
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Apr 1645The Self-Denying Ordinance forbids any member of Parliament from also being a military commander in the New Model Army.
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14 Jun 1645The Parliamentarians led by Sir Thomas Fairfax defeat the Royalists at the Battle of Naseby during the English Civil Wars.
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Jan 1647The Scots hand over Charles I of England to the English.
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Nov 1647Charles I of England escapes from his capitivity and stays on the Isle of Wight.
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Feb 1648 - Aug 1648The Second English Civil War when a Scottish army attempts and fails to restore Charles I of England.
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17 Aug 1648 - 20 Aug 1648A Parliamentarian army led by Oliver Cromwell defeats an Anglo-Scottish Royalist army at the Battle of Preston.
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Dec 1648The New Model Army marches on Parliament to apprehend Presbyterian MPs and receive the arrears in their pay.
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Dec 1648The creation of the 'Rump Parliament' sees the number of MPs reduced to just 150 members.
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1 Dec 1648A group of Parliamentarian officers captures Charles I of England on the Isle of Wight.
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20 Jan 1649Charles I of England is put on trial by Parliament and found guilty of treason.
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30 Jan 1649Execution of Charles I of England. The monarchy is abolished.
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1650Oliver Cromwell leads the New Model Army to ruthlessly quash a major rebellion in Ireland.
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1650Sir Thomas Fairfax resigns as commander of the Parliamentarian New Model Army, refusing to lead them against Scotland.
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Sep 1650 - Dec 1650Oliver Cromwell besieges and captures Edinburgh Castle.
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3 Sep 1650Oliver Cromwell leads the New Model Army to victory against a Socttish army at Dunbar.
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1651Forces loyal to Oliver Cromwell and led by General George Monck capture Stirling Castle.
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3 Sep 1651Oliver Cromwell leads the New Model Army to victory against an invading Scottish army at Worcester.
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20 Apr 1653Oliver Cromwell dissolves the 'Rump Parliament'.
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16 Dec 1653The 'Barebones Parliament' appoints Oliver Cromwell the Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland.
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Jan 1657A Leveller plot to assassinate Oliver Cromwell is discovered.
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26 Jun 1657Oliver Cromwell is inaugurated as Lord Protector in Westminster Abbey.
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14 Jun 1658The Battle of the Dunes where Oliver Cromwell sends the New Model Army to aid the French in attacking the Spanish Netherlands. Dunkirk is acquired as a result of victory.
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3 Sep 1658Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector, dies of pneumonia.
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1661Oliver Cromwell's remains are exhumed from Westminster Abbey and given the treatment of a traitor's execution.
