Richard Cromwell
Richard Cromwell | |
|---|---|
Richard Cromwell | |
| Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland | |
| In office 3 September 1658 – 25 May 1659 (264 days) | |
| Preceded by | Oliver Cromwell |
| Succeeded by | Council of State |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 4 October 1626 Huntingdon, Huntingdonshire, England |
| Died | 12 July 1712 (aged 85) Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, England |
| Nationality | English |
| Political party | Roundhead |
| Spouse(s) |
Dorothy Maijor
(m. 1649; died 1675) |
| Relations | Oliver Cromwell (father) Elizabeth Bourchier (mother) |
| Children | See list
|
| Nickname(s) | Tumbledown Dick Queen Dick |
| Royal styles of Richard Cromwell, Lord Protector of the Commonwealth | |
|---|---|
| Reference style | His Highness |
| Spoken style | Your Highness |
| Alternative style | Sir |
Richard Cromwell (4 October 1626 – 12 July 1712) was the third son of Oliver Cromwell and the second Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland for little over eight months, from 3 September 1658 to 25 May 1659. His enemies called him "Hickory Dick" and "Queen Dick".
He was not suited to ruling the country. He followed his father only because he was Oliver's oldest living son, and people expected one of Oliver's sons to follow him. After a short time, Richard gave up power and knew that many people wanted King Charles II to come back from the Netherlands and rule the country. When it was agreed that Charles would return, Richard thought it would be best for him to leave Britain, and he went to live in France for a while.
He changed his name to "John Clarke", travelled around Europe and did not return home for 20 years. After he came back, he lived quietly outside London for the rest of his life.
The nursery rhyme "Hickory Dickory Dock" is actually about Richard Cromwell.[1] One of Richard's nicknames was "Hickory Dick". The mouse in the rhyme runs down when the clock strikes one, and Cromwell ruled for only one year.
References
- ↑ Jack, Albert (2008). Pop Goes the Weasel: The Secret Meanings of Nursery Rhymes. London: Penguin Books. ISBN 9780141909301.
- Gaunt, Peter (2004). "Richard Cromwell". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/6768.
- Hutton, Ronald (1985). The Restoration: A Political and Religious History of England and Wales, 1658-1667. Oxford: Clarendon Press. ISBN 0-19-822698-5.
Other websites
- BBC Bio of Richard Cromwell
- BBC Bio of Oliver Cromwell Archived 2014-09-28 at the Wayback Machine
- Britannia.com "Monarchs" Page on Richard Cromwell Archived 2011-12-09 at the Wayback Machine
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Oliver Cromwell |
Lord Protectorate of England, Scotland and Ireland September 3, 1658-May 25, 1659 |
Succeeded by King Charles II As King of England, Scotland, Ireland and France. |
| Preceded by Oliver Cromwell |
Chancellor of the University of Oxford 1657–1660 |
Succeeded by Duke of Somerset |