Oliver Cromwell - Quick facts

Once asked an artist to paint his portrait, warts and all.

Oliver Cromwell was born on April 25th 1599 in Huntingdon.

He died on September 3rd 1658 of Malaria.

Cromwell was an extreme religious fanatic (a devout puritan).

Cromwell signed the death warrant of Charles I.

Cromwell allowed the settling of Jews in England for the first time since 1290.

Cromwell had 5 sons and 4 daughters with a woman he married out of convenience.

Cromwell commited genocide against Irish catholics (included sackings of Drogheda and Wexford).

He made catholics move west of the Shannon to the less fertile land of Connaught.

He left Ireland with catholics owning less than 10% of the land (catholics made up 80% of the population.

Appointed second in command of the New Model Army in 1645.

Cromwell had excellent military ability, his own regiment the Ironsides distinguished itself at Marston Moor.

He became Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland in 1653.

Cromwell was buried in Henry VII's Chapel Westminster Abbey.

After the restoration his body was disinterred and beheaded. The head was hung on Tyburn Gallows until the anniversary of Charles I execution, his head was then stuck on a pole on top of Westminster Hall where it remained for 20 years.

Oliver Cromwell's Battles -

1644 2 July Battle of Marston Moor

1644 27 Oct Battle of Newbury

1645 14 June Battle of Naseby

1648 18 Aug Battle of Preston

1650 3 Sept Battle of Dunbar

1651 3 Sept Battle of Worcester