Who was Richard Cromwell? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Died At Age: 85

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Dorothy Maijor (m. 1649–1675)

mother: Elizabeth Cromwell

children: Anna Cromwell, Anne Cromwell, Dorothy Cromwell, Elizabeth Cromwell, Mary Cromwell, Oliver Cromwell, Thomas Pengelly

Born Country: England

Political Leaders British Men

Died on: July 12, 1712

place of death: Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, England

U.S. State: California

City: Long Beach, California

More Facts

education: Felsted School

Recommended For You

1

Was Richard Cromwell related to Oliver Cromwell?

Yes, Richard Cromwell was the son of Oliver Cromwell, who was a prominent figure in English history as the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland.
2

What role did Richard Cromwell play in English history?

Richard Cromwell briefly succeeded his father, Oliver Cromwell, as the Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland after Oliver's death in 1658.
3

How long did Richard Cromwell serve as the Lord Protector?

Richard Cromwell served as the Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland for less than a year, from 1658 to 1659.
4

What led to Richard Cromwell's resignation as Lord Protector?

Richard Cromwell's resignation as Lord Protector was influenced by political pressures, lack of support, and his own reluctance to hold the position.
5

What happened to Richard Cromwell after resigning as Lord Protector?

After resigning as Lord Protector, Richard Cromwell lived a relatively quiet life away from politics, eventually passing away in obscurity in 1712.

Recommended Lists:

British Political Leaders

Childhood & Early Life

Richard Cromwell was born on October 4, 1626, in Huntingdon, Huntingdonshire, England, to English military and political leader Oliver Cromwell and his wife, Elizabeth. He was the fourth of the nine children (and the third son) of his parents.

He and his three brothers attended the ‘Felsted School’ in Essex, near their maternal family home. Not much is known about his university days. He became a ‘Lincoln's Inn’ member in May 1647. Although there is lack of concrete evidence, some sources mention that during the late 1640s, Richard probably served Thomas Fairfax's lifeguard as a captain.

Continue Reading Below

Entering Politics

A prominent political figure, Oliver Cromwell dismissed the ‘Rump Parliament’ by force on April 20, 1653. In his effort to reform the government, he established an army-nominated assembly called the ‘Barebone's Parliament.’ It was, however, short-lived. Thereafter, fellow leaders of Oliver invited him to rule as the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland. A written constitution created the position for him. He took over as the Lord Protector on December 16, 1653, and implemented an aggressive and effective foreign policy during his rule.

Although his younger brother Henry became a member of the ‘Barebone's Parliament,’ Richard was neither considered for it nor given a public role after Oliver became the Lord Protector. Nevertheless, Richard was elected to the ‘First Protectorate Parliament’ as an MP for Huntingdon and to the ‘Second Protectorate Parliament’ as an MP for ‘Cambridge University.’

After a new constitution gave Oliver the power to select his successor, in 1657, he began grooming Richard for high office and pushed him to be involved in the political scenario of his regime. In June that year, Richard attended the second installation of Oliver as the Lord Protector. The following month, he succeeded his father to become the chancellor of the ‘University of Oxford.’ He became a member of the ‘Council of State’ in December that year.

As the Lord Protector

After the death of Oliver on September 3, 1658, Richard succeeded his father as the Lord Protector on the same day. The succession, however, created controversy. According to a letter written by John Thurloe, on August 30 that year, Oliver had orally nominated Richard as his successor. Several sources, however, asserted that Oliver had suggested his son-in-law Charles Fleetwood’s name. Others believed he did not nominate anyone as his successor.

Richard encountered two serious issues after assuming office. First, he annoyed the army when, in spite of his lack of military experience, he took charge of the forces, ignoring the request to induct an experienced officer as the commander-in-chief. The second issue was that the regime was under serious financial stress, with debts amounting to £2 million.

To fix right the financial issues, the privy council of Richard resolved to call a parliament on November 29, 1658. The parliament was called applying the conventional franchise, according to the terms of the ‘Humble Petition and Advice,’ thus distancing from the system under the ‘Instrument of Government.’ This signified the government’s inability to control elections and manage the parliament successfully. Consequently, the crypto-’Royalists,’ the moderate ‘Presbyterians,’ and a few vociferous ‘Commonwealthsmen’ managed to dominate this ‘Third Protectorate Parliament’ when it sat for the first time on January 27, 1659.

The "Other House" or “Upper House” of the parliament, established by Oliver, under the terms of the ‘Humble Petition and Advice,’ was also revived. The ‘Third Protectorate Parliament’ included this second chamber. However, the ‘Republicans’ expressed suspicion, as they regarded some of its members as ‘Presbyterians’ and closet ‘Royalists.’

The ‘New Model Army,’ on the other hand, doubted the commitment of the government to the military and worried about the lack of respect of the parliament for the army. On April 6, 1659, the army made a petition to Richard, mentioning its grievances. Although it was placed before the parliament, no action was taken to resolve the issue. the army’s suspicion increased when a few days later, on April 12, the MPs nearly impeached William Boteler. It was alleged that in 1655, while serving as a major-general under Oliver, Boteler had mistreated a ‘Royalist’ prisoner.

This was followed by the passage of two resolutions in the ‘Commons’ on April 18, 1659. These stated that the army officers would not conduct any more meetings without permission from both the Lord Protector and the parliament. It also stated that they would take an oath of never undermining the power and authority of the parliament by force. These and a few earlier developments enraged the army, who demanded that Richard dissolve the parliament. Upon his refusal, the army assembled at the ‘St. James's Palace.’

Continue Reading Below

Richard eventually gave in to the demands of the army and dissolved the parliament on April 22, 1659. By then, it was conspicuous that the ‘Commons’ were trying to find ways to disband the army. On May 7, 1659, the ‘Rump Parliament’ was recalled. The army possibly kept Richard under house arrest. He formally resigned from the position of Lord Protector by submitting a letter on May 25 that year, after the ‘Rump’ agreed to pay his debts and grant him a pension.

Till July 1659, he stayed in the ‘Palace of Whitehall.’ Eventually, the ‘Rump’ compelled him to return to Hursley. Richard’s fall from power was met with sarcastic remarks and censuring, and he was tagged as “Queen Dick” and “Tumbledown Dick.”

Life after the Protectorate & Death

Although rumors stated that Richard would be recalled as the Protector amidst political difficulties during the winter of 1659, nothing of that sort happened. Richard fled to France in July 1660, leaving his wife behind. He traveled around Europe and visited different European courts during his period of voluntary exile. He wrote several letters to his family back in England during this tenure. The letters presently find place in the ‘Cambridgeshire Archives and Local Studies’ at the ‘County Record Office’ in Huntingdon.

Richard returned to England either in 1680 or in 1681. There, he started living with merchant Thomas Pengelly and his family, in their Finchley home. He earned enough from his own estate in Hursley. After Thomas’s death in January 1696, Richard continued to stay with Thomas’s wife. In 1700, he shifted with her to her property in Cheshunt in Hertfordshire. He lived there till his death on July 12, 1712. Richard’s stay with Thomas’s wife paved way for rumors that Pengelly’s son, Sir Thomas Pengelly, who went on to become a judge and MP from Cockermouth, was actually Richard’s illegitimate son.

Richard’s remains were transferred to Hursley and buried in a vault beneath the ‘All Saints' Parish Church.’ A memorial tablet has been placed there in his honor.

Family & Personal Life

Richard married Dorothy Maijor in 1649. She was the daughter of Richard Maijor, Esq. of Hursley (Hampshire). Following the marriage, the couple stayed at Dorothy’s father’s Hursley estate. Richard became a “Justice of the Peace” for Hampshire and was part of various county committees. The couple had nine children in the 1650s, of whom five survived to adulthood.

Sources mention that Dorothy was present at Richard’s investment ceremony at the ‘Westminster Hall’ and was possibly called the “Protectress” during Richard’s short reign as the Lord Protector. She remained loyal to him throughout her life. After he fled from England, Dorothy waited for his return for 15 years, eventually passing away on January 5, 1675.

Media Portrayal & Legacy

The historical films ‘Cromwell’ (1970) and ‘To Kill a King’ (2003), both made on his father, featured actors Anthony May and John-Paul Macleod, respectively, as Richard.

Richard remained the longest-lived ruler or ex-ruler of Britain till Queen Elizabeth II surpassed this record on January 29, 2012.

Facts About Richard Cromwell

Richard Cromwell, also known as "Tumbledown Dick," was the son of Oliver Cromwell, the famous English military and political leader.

Despite his short-lived tenure as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland, Richard was known for his gentle and amiable personality.

Richard Cromwell's reign was marked by his attempts to reconcile with Parliament and restore stability to the country following the turbulent years of the English Civil War.

After his resignation as Lord Protector, Richard lived a quiet life in relative obscurity, choosing to focus on his family and personal interests.

Richard Cromwell's legacy is often overshadowed by the larger-than-life figures of his father and other prominent political figures of his time, but his efforts to lead England during a challenging period should not be overlooked.

Richard Cromwell Biography

You wanted to know

Was Richard Cromwell related to Oliver Cromwell?

What role did Richard Cromwell play in English history?

How long did Richard Cromwell serve as the Lord Protector?

What led to Richard Cromwell's resignation as Lord Protector?

What happened to Richard Cromwell after resigning as Lord Protector?