Oliver Cromwell Biography and Timeline

Birth of Oliver Cromwell

Birth of Oliver Cromwell

Education

Sent to Sidney Sussex College but leaves after the death of his father a year later

Marriage

Marries Elizabeth Bourchier

Member of Parliament

Elected Member of Parliament for Huntingdon

Role range: 1628-1629

St Ives

Cromwell & his family live in St Ives, 1631-1636

Election for Cambridge

Cambridge electors return Cromwell to the Long Parliament.

Role range: 1640-1653

Election to Long Parliament

Cromwell is returned as member for Cambridge in the Long Parliament.

Role range: 1640-1653

Annual Parliaments Bill

Cromwell moves the second reading of a bill proposing annual parliamentary sessions.

Role range: 1640-1653

Parliamentary Reform Activity

Cromwell supports measures intended to prevent another prolonged suspension of Parliament.

Role range: 1640-1653

Abolition of Episcopacy Proposal

Cromwell promotes complete removal of bishops from the Church of England.

Root and Branch Bill Introduced

Cromwell supports introduction of legislation seeking abolition of episcopacy.

High Commission Act Supported

Cromwell backs abolition of the court enforcing controversial church policies.

Religious Images Debate

Cromwell supports measures against ceremonial practices regarded as idolatrous.

Response to Irish Rebellion

Cromwell supports stronger parliamentary control during the Irish emergency.

Essex Trained Bands Proposal

Cromwell proposes that the Earl of Essex command trained bands during the emergency.

Military Command Dispute

Cromwell challenges exclusive royal control of armed forces during the Irish emergency.

Trained Bands Proposal

Cromwell proposes placing London's trained bands under the Earl of Essex.

Cambridge Volunteers

Parliament authorises Cromwell to raise two volunteer companies in Cambridgeshire.

Cambridgeshire Volunteers Authorised

Cromwell receives authority to raise volunteer companies in Cambridgeshire.

Role range: 1642-1649

Commission as Captain of Horse

Cromwell receives authority to command a troop of horse raised around Huntingdon.

Role range: 1642-1649

Cavalry Troop Mustered

Cromwell musters a troop of horse for Parliament's army.

Role range: 1642-1649

Battle of Edgehill

Cromwell commands a troop of Parliamentarian horse during the Edgehill campaign.

Role range: 1642-1649

Disciplined Cavalry Recruitment

Cromwell begins recruiting cavalry selected for discipline and religious commitment.

Role range: 1642-1649

Rebellion of Rebels in Monmouthshire

Cromwell warns Parliament about possible Royalist and Catholic mobilisation in Monmouthshire.

Role range: 1642-1649

Battle of Grantham

1st victory for Cromwell & the Eastern association

Role range: 1642-1649

Battle of Grantham

Cromwell defeats a larger Royalist cavalry force near Grantham and strengthens Parliament's position in Lincolnshire.

Role range: 1642-1651

Siege of Burghley

Leads a successful siege in Northamptonshire against the Countess of Essex

Role range: 1642-1649

Governor

Receives news from Parliament that he has been appointed Governor of the Isle of Ely

Role range: 1642-1649

Battle of Gainsborough

Wins a victory over Royalist forces

Role range: 1642-1649

Battle of Gainsborough

Cromwell helps relieve Gainsborough and drives Royalist cavalry from the field.

Role range: 1642-1651

Mobilization

Parliament issues instructions for the impressment of 22,000 in London & the east

Role range: 1642-1649

New Model Army

Parliament issues instructions for the impressment of 22,000 in London & the east

Role range: 1642-1649

Alliance Oliver Cromwell and Scottish Presbyterianism

Parliament promises to protect Scottish Presbyterianism

Role range: 1642-1649

Battle of Winceby

Cromwell helps lead Parliamentarian cavalry in the victory at Winceby, strengthening Parliament's control of Lincolnshire.

Role range: 1642-1649

Battle of Winceby

Cromwell's cavalry helps defeat Royalist horse at Winceby during the struggle for Lincolnshire.

Role range: 1642-1651

Plantations Comm-Cromwell

Appointed Member of Committee of Plantations

Role range: 1642-1649

County Associations

Counties are inefficient for managing armies so County Associations are formed

Role range: 1642-1649

Reform of War Policy

Counties are inefficient for managing armies so County Associations are formed

Role range: 1642-1649

Lieutenant

Signs the Covenant enabling him to take up the position of Lieutenant Colonel

Role range: 1642-1649 – 1645-1650

Lieutenant

Signs the Covenant enabling him to take up the position of Lieutenant Colonel