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Introduction
Early life
1616-17
1628-29
1640
1642
1643
1644
1645
1647
1648
1649
1650
1651
1653
1654
1655
1656
1657
1658

Introduction

Since Oliver Cromwell's death as Lord Protector in 1658 his life, ambitions, motives and actions have been the subject of scholarly investigation and intense, often vitriolic, debate. Whatever position is taken on Cromwell, "Chief of Men"; or "Brave Bad Man", his importance as a key figure in one of the most troubled periods of British history is unassailable.
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Early life

Oliver Cromwell was born in Huntingdon, England on April 25th 1599. He attended Huntingdon Grammar School, now the Cromwell Museum.
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1616-17

Cromwell enters Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge - a college with strong Puritan ethos - to study Law. After the death of his father in June 1617 he leaves college, without taking his degree, to support his family.
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1628-29

Cromwell becomes the Member of Parliament for Huntingdon in 1628. In 1629 Parliament is dissolved by Charles I.
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1640

Charles I reconvenes Parliament. Cromwell is returned as Member of Parliament for Cambridge.
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1642

Cromwell raises troops for Parliament.
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1643

Cromwell becomes Colonel in the Eastern Association.
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1644

Cromwell is made Lieutenant-General of the Eastern Association Army - Battle of Marston Moor, 2 July - Battle of Newbury, 27 October
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1645

Cromwell promoted to Lieutenant-General of New Model Army - Battle of Naseby, 14 June
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1647

Supports Parliamentary Army in clashes with Parliament.
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1648

Crushes royalist rising in South Wales - Battle of Preston, 18 August
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1649

Supports trial and execution of King Charles I, January - Commands army sent to crush Ireland, August
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1650

Commands army sent to crush Scotland, July - Battle of Dunbar, 3 September
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1651

Battle of Worcester, 3 September
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1653

Cromwell dissolves Parliament, 20 April - Cromwell becomes Lord Protector
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1654

Meets first Protectorate Parliament, September
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1655

System of Major-Generals established, October
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1656

Meets second Protectorate Parliament
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1657

Rejects Parliament's offer of the crown and remains Lord Protector, March to June
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1658

Cromwell dies at Whitehall, 3 September
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