Follow Oliver Cromwell through 307 dated historical records for England.
A chronological timeline drawn from matching World History Database records.
Cromwell signs his name Oliver P, standing for Oliver Protector - in a similar style to that used by English monarchs - and it soon becomes the norm for others to address him as "Your highness". As Protector, Cromwell has the power to call and dissolve Parliaments but is obliged under the Instrument of Government to seek the majority vote of a Council of State. Appointed Lord Protector
Cromwell became Lord Protector under the written constitution called the Instrument of Government.
Role range: 1649-1660 – 1653-1658
Calls a Puritan Convention which is nicknamed the Barebones Parliament
Dissolves the Rump Parliament
Calls a Puritan Convention which is nicknamed the Barebones Parliament
The Rump Parliament is replaced by a Puritan Parliament
Oliver Cromwell forcibly disbands the Rump when it seems they might disband his expensive army of 50,000 men
After the dissolution of the Barebones Parliament, John Lambert puts forward a new constitution known as the Instrument of Government, closely modelled on the Heads of Proposals, it makes Cromwell Lord Protector for life
After the dissolution of the Barebones Parliament, John Lambert puts forward a new constitution known as the Instrument of Government, closely modelled on the Heads of Proposals, it makes Cromwell Lord Protector for life
Concludes peace with the Dutch Republic, ending the First Anglo-Dutch War
Role range: 1652-1654 – 1653-1658
The first Protectorate Parliament meets for the first time
Role range: 1654-1655 – 1653-1658
Addresses the first Protectorate Parliament at its inaugural meeting
Role range: 1654-1655 – 1653-1658
Cromwell opened the First Protectorate Parliament under the new constitutional system.
Role range: 1649-1660 – 1653-1658
Tells Parliament that sovereignty is not a mere feather in the hat
Role range: 1653-1658
Hosts talks with Dutch representatives but fails to obtain political union
Role range: 1653-1658
Governs under the Instrument of Government as the Protectorate settles into operation
Role range: 1653-1658
Dissolves the First Protectorate Parliament after constitutional conflict
Role range: 1653-1658
Cromwell dissolved the First Protectorate Parliament after disputes over constitutional authority.
Role range: 1649-1660 – 1653-1658
Suppresses the royalist rising and hardens security policy
Role range: 1653-1658
The Western Design captures Jamaica from Spain under Penn and Venables
Role range: 1653-1658
Orders Major-Generals to be appointed to control local militias and security
Role range: 1653-1658
Agrees a commercial treaty with France after worsening relations with Spain
Role range: 1653-1658
Moves into open conflict with Spain after the seizure of Jamaica
Role range: 1655-1660 – 1653-1658
Uses a tax on Royalists to fund militia and security under the major-generals
Role range: 1653-1658
Launches the large warship Naseby during the naval expansion of the Protectorate
Role range: 1653-1658
The 2nd Proctorate Parliament opens
Role range: 1654-1658
Cromwell opened the Second Protectorate Parliament.
Role range: 1649-1660 – 1653-1658
Charles II offers a knighthood & 500 pounds pension pa to anyone who would kill Cromwell
Role range: 1654-1658
Portugal ratifies a commercial Treaty with England
Role range: 1654-1658
Declares War against Spain
Role range: 1654-1658
Cromwell is offered the crown by Parliament as part of a revised constitutional settlement, presenting him with a dilemma, since he had been "instrumental" in abolishing the monarchy, Cromwell agonises for six weeks over the offer
Role range: 1654-1658
Cromwell is offered the crown by Parliament as part of a revised constitutional settlement, presenting him with a dilemma, since he had been "instrumental" in abolishing the monarchy, Cromwell agonises for six weeks over the offer
Role range: 1654-1658
Makes clear that Gods providence had spoken against his office of king, "I would not seek to set up that which Providence hath destroyed and laid in the dust, and I would not build Jericho again"
Role range: 1654-1658
Cromwell rejects the Humble Petition
Role range: 1654-1658
Cromwell rejects the offer of the Kingship
Role range: 1654-1658
Cromwell rejects the offer of the Kingship
Role range: 1654-1658
Announces he will not accept the title of King
Role range: 1654-1658
Cromwell formally refused the crown offered under the Humble Petition and Advice.
Role range: 1649-1660 – 1653-1658
Agrees to Parliaments proposal that he should be invested as Lord Protector
Role range: 1654-1658
Cromwell is installed as Lord Protector under a new constitution
Role range: 1654-1658
These dates and descriptions come from the historical_events database. Exact duplicate records have been collapsed. Names are grouped by the country, Name 2 and Name 1 fields; records with missing Name 2 cannot be reliably assigned to an individual biography. Check the underlying sources before formal citation.