The World of Samuel Pepys

Oliver Cromwell

Origins

Oliver Cromwell was born in relative obscurity, but rose to become the most influential person in England.

He was born April 25, 1599 in Huntingdon near Cambridge. Although his family was wealthy, he was not the oldest child, and therefore wasn’t heir to his father’s estate. His inheritance was enough to keep him at the lower level of the gentry, however. Both through his own family, and that of his wife, Elizabeth Bourchier, Cromwell was regularly in contact with royalty, court officials and other politically important figures.

Religion

In the late 1620’s Cromwell had some major setbacks in his life. He suffered from depression. His social standing dropped when he moved from Huntingdon to St. Ives, probably because of a conflict with the other gentry in Huntingdon. It was during this period that Cromwell became an independent Puritan.

Military & Politics

His own political career officially began when he was elected to parliament from Huntingdon, in 1628.

He participated in the English Civil War against the Royalists and was one of the many who signed King Charles I’s death warrant. He proved himself a capable leader during the parliament that followed this event, and was nominated Lord Protector of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. With no king, Cromwell was thus the most powerful and important man in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. This period was called the Protectorate.