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He was the third son of Oliver Cromwell and his wife Elizabeth Bourchier. During the [[Civil War]], he fought in the parliamentary army, but remained mostly in the background. He married Dorothy, the daughter of Richard Mayor, in 1649 and had nine children with her of whom five died shortly after birth. When his father became Lord Protector in 1653, he was elected to the [[House of Commons]] and served as Justice of the Peace, but again did not play an important role in politics. Overall, he did not show his father's ability or interests for politics and rather spent his time doing sports and hunting. It was only in 1657, when Oliver had the power to choose his own successor that he began to make his son more and more publicly known.
Richard was the third son of Oliver Cromwell and his wife Elizabeth Bourchier. During the [[Civil War]], he fought in the parliamentary army, but remained mostly in the background. He married Dorothy Mayor in 1649 and had nine children with her of whom five died shortly after birth. When his father became Lord Protector in 1653, he was elected to the [[House of Commons]] and served as Justice of the Peace, but again did not play an important role in politics. Overall, he did not show his father's ability or interests for politics and rather spent his time doing sports and hunting. It was only in 1657, when Oliver had the power to choose his own successor that he began to make his son more and more publicly known.


Since his two older brothers had died early, Richard was declared Lord Protector after his father died on 3 September 1658. However, he lacked the experience and the will to maintain this position. He also did not succeed in gaining trust, when he e.g. took charge of the army himself and thus offended his officers who wanted a more experienced man to lead the army. In addition, the Protectorate was deeply indebted and unpopular among its people, with a struggle for power forming between Parliament and the army.
Since his two older brothers had died early, Richard was declared Lord Protector after his father died on 3 September 1658. However, he lacked the experience and the will to maintain this position. He also did not succeed in gaining trust, when he e.g. took charge of the army himself and thus offended his officers who wanted a more experienced man to lead the army. In addition, the Protectorate was deeply indebted and unpopular among its people, with a struggle for power forming between Parliament and the army.


On April 21, 1659, Richard was forced to dissolve Parliament after the army had taken over power. Though he remained Lord Protector in name, the army was in power now and Richard was sent to Whitehall Palace where he lived under house arrest. Meanwhile, the officers recalled the [[Rump Parliament]]. On 7 May 1659, parliament voted for the abolishment of the Protectorate and on 25 May, Richard abdicated. This might have led to a possible power vacuum, so shortly afterwards, [[Charles II]] was restored to the throne. Shortly after, Richard went into exile, leaving his wife and children behind, but returned to England 20 years later, where he lived until he died in 1712.   
On April 21 1659, Richard was forced to dissolve Parliament after the army had taken over power. Though he remained Lord Protector in name, the army was in power now and Richard was sent to Whitehall Palace where he lived under house arrest. Meanwhile, the officers recalled the [[Rump Parliament]]. On 7 May 1659, parliament voted for the abolishment of the Protectorate and on 25 May, Richard abdicated. This might have led to a possible power vacuum, so shortly afterwards, [[Charles II]] was restored to the throne. Shortly after, Richard went into exile, leaving his wife and children behind, but returned to England 20 years later, where he lived until he died in 1712.   




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* Cavendish, Richard. "Richard Cromwell Resigns as Lord Protector." ''History Today'' 59.5 (2009): 12.
* Cavendish, Richard. "Richard Cromwell Resigns as Lord Protector." ''History Today'' 59.5 (2009): 12.


* Coward, Barry. ''The Cromwellian Protectorate''. Manchester, UK: Manchester UP, 2002.
* Coward, Barry. ''The Cromwellian Protectorate''. Manchester: Manchester UP, 2002.


* McMains, H. F. ''The Death of Oliver Cromwell''. Lexington, KY: University of Kentucky, 2000.
* McMains, H. F. ''The Death of Oliver Cromwell''. Lexington: University of Kentucky, 2000.


* Morrill, John S. "Richard Cromwell." ''Britannica Online Encyclopedia''. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 30 June 2013. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/143866/Richard-Cromwell>.
* Morrill, John S. "Richard Cromwell." ''Britannica Online Encyclopedia''. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 30 June 2013. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/143866/Richard-Cromwell>.


* Plant, David. "Richard Cromwell, Lord Protector, 1626-1712." ''British-civil-wars.co.uk''. 22 Mar. 2007. Web. 30 June 2013. <http://www.british-civil-wars.co.uk/biog/richard-cromwell.htm>
* Plant, David. "Richard Cromwell, Lord Protector, 1626-1712." ''British-civil-wars.co.uk''. 22 Mar. 2007. Web. 30 June 2013. <http://www.british-civil-wars.co.uk/biog/richard-cromwell.htm>

Latest revision as of 09:45, 18 October 2018

4 October 1626-12 July 1712. Son of Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell. He followed in his father's footsteps as Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland in 1658, but only held this position until 1659.


Richard was the third son of Oliver Cromwell and his wife Elizabeth Bourchier. During the Civil War, he fought in the parliamentary army, but remained mostly in the background. He married Dorothy Mayor in 1649 and had nine children with her of whom five died shortly after birth. When his father became Lord Protector in 1653, he was elected to the House of Commons and served as Justice of the Peace, but again did not play an important role in politics. Overall, he did not show his father's ability or interests for politics and rather spent his time doing sports and hunting. It was only in 1657, when Oliver had the power to choose his own successor that he began to make his son more and more publicly known.

Since his two older brothers had died early, Richard was declared Lord Protector after his father died on 3 September 1658. However, he lacked the experience and the will to maintain this position. He also did not succeed in gaining trust, when he e.g. took charge of the army himself and thus offended his officers who wanted a more experienced man to lead the army. In addition, the Protectorate was deeply indebted and unpopular among its people, with a struggle for power forming between Parliament and the army.

On April 21 1659, Richard was forced to dissolve Parliament after the army had taken over power. Though he remained Lord Protector in name, the army was in power now and Richard was sent to Whitehall Palace where he lived under house arrest. Meanwhile, the officers recalled the Rump Parliament. On 7 May 1659, parliament voted for the abolishment of the Protectorate and on 25 May, Richard abdicated. This might have led to a possible power vacuum, so shortly afterwards, Charles II was restored to the throne. Shortly after, Richard went into exile, leaving his wife and children behind, but returned to England 20 years later, where he lived until he died in 1712.


Sources

  • Cavendish, Richard. "Richard Cromwell Resigns as Lord Protector." History Today 59.5 (2009): 12.
  • Coward, Barry. The Cromwellian Protectorate. Manchester: Manchester UP, 2002.
  • McMains, H. F. The Death of Oliver Cromwell. Lexington: University of Kentucky, 2000.
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