Oliver Cromwell Biography and Timeline — Page 2

Eastern Association Cavalry Command

Cromwell receives command of the Eastern Association cavalry and develops the disciplined mounted force later associated with his military reputation.

Role range: 1642-1649

Battle of Marston Moor

Sweeps away Gorings horse by attacking the Royalists from the rear. Defeats the Royalists near York, leaving 4,000 dead & taking 1,500 prisoners. Cromwell's first major victory, personally commands 2,500 men

Role range: 1642-1649

Cavalry Command at Marston Moor

Cromwell commands the Parliamentarian left-wing cavalry and helps turn the fighting at Marston Moor into a decisive Royalist defeat.

Role range: 1642-1649

Battle of Marston Moor

Cromwell commands Eastern Association cavalry as Parliament and the Scots defeat Prince Rupert.

Role range: 1642-1651

Siege of York

Resumes the siege of York after victory at Marston Moor

Role range: 1642-1649

Capture of York

Leads the "Ironsides" & captures York

Role range: 1642-1649

Capture of Newcastle

Commander of "Ironsides" during Parliaments capture of Newcastle

Role range: 1642-1649

Second Battle of Newbury

Cromwell fights at Second Newbury and later urges a stronger pursuit of the withdrawing Royalist army.

Role range: 1642-1649

Second Battle of Newbury

Cromwell criticises missed opportunities after the Parliamentarian attack fails to destroy the king's army.

Role range: 1642-1651

Council of War

Advises a military defeat of the King after Manchester fails to persue him in battle

Role range: 1642-1649

Criticism of Manchester

Cromwell criticises Manchester's conduct of the war and presses Parliament for a more vigorous military strategy.

Role range: 1642-1649

Independents

Appointed Leader of the Independents

Role range: 1642-1649

Reform of Religious Toleration

Leads an Army sect demanding religious toleration & prosecution of criminals

Role range: 1642-1649

Alliance Scotland and Parliament

Helps form an alliance between Scotland & Parliament

Role range: 1642-1649

Committee of Both Kingdoms

Appointed Member of Committee of Both Kingdoms

Role range: 1642-1649

Second in Command

Appointed 2nd-in-Command of the Parliamentary Army

Role range: 1642-1649

Committee of Both Kingdoms

Appointed Member of Committee of Both Kingdoms

Second in Command

Appointed 2nd-in-Command of the Parliamentary Army

Lieutenant

Appointed Lieutenant General of the Horse & Foot. Appointed 2nd-in-Command for Manchester

Role range: 1642-1649 – 1645-1650

Lieutenant

Appointed Lieutenant General of the Horse & Foot

Result of Surrender of Royalist Forces in the West

Royalist resistance in the west collapses further, leaving Oxford as the principal remaining Royalist threat.

Role range: 1642-1649

Surrender of Royalist Forces in the West

The Royalists are defeated in the West, only Oxford remains as a serious threat. Sir Ralph Hopton signs articles of surrender at Exeter

Role range: 1642-1649

Self-Denying Ordinance

Cromwell is exempted from resignation pressure and continues military service with Parliament's army.

Role range: 1642-1651

Second-in-Command

Appointed 2nd-in-Command of the New Model Army under Sir Thomas Fairfax

Role range: 1642-1649 – 1645-1650

Dismissal

Removes the existing Generals

Role range: 1642-1649 – 1645-1650

Lieutenant

Fairfax succeeds Essex as Captain General & Cromwell becomes Lt General

Role range: 1642-1649 – 1645-1650

Self-Denying Ordinance

Removes the existing Generals. Creates a New Model Army becoming 2nd-in-Command under Sir Thomas Fairfax. All MPs except Cromwell must relinquish military commissions within 40 days

Role range: 1642-1649 – 1645-1650

Second-in-Command

Appointed 2nd-in-Command of the New Model Army

Lieutenant

Fairfax succeeds Essex as Captain General & Cromwell becomes Lt General

Battle of Islip

Cromwell routs a detachment of Royalist horse at Islip during his raid against the king's artillery train.

Role range: 1642-1651

Battle of Faringdon

Defeated in battle by the Earl of Norwich, George Goring

Role range: 1642-1649

Skirmish at Faringdon

Royalist forces under Goring damage part of Cromwell's regiment near Faringdon after his Oxfordshire raid.

Role range: 1642-1651

Siege of Oxford

Charles I and Goring evade Parliamentarian forces and leave Oxford during the campaigning season.

Role range: 1642-1651

Mobilization

Advances toward Kenilworth before parliamentary orders redirect forces during the Oxford operations.

Role range: 1642-1651

Mobilization

Joins Fairfax near Nuneham as Parliamentarian forces press operations around Oxford.

Role range: 1642-1651

Mobilization

Serves with Fairfax near Oxford as Parliamentarian forces try to contain Charles I's army.

Role range: 1642-1651

Battle of Preston

Wins victory over the Scots under Hamilton. The 1st Battle over which Cromwell has independent command

Role range: 1642-1649

Battle of Worcester

Royalist victory, diverts Fairfax from Oxford, Charles then proceeds safely to Oxford

Role range: 1642-1649

Mobilization

Arrives in Cambridge to gather horse and reinforce the Eastern Association before rejoining the main campaign.

Role range: 1642-1651

Commander of New Model Army

The Commons approves Cromwell's appointment as 2nd in Command of the New Model Army

Role range: 1642-1649