The Cromwell Association
What is the Cromwell Association?
The Cromwell Association was founded in 1935 to commemorate Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) and to stimulate interest in Cromwell and the general history of the British Isles and dependent territories from his birth to the time of the Restoration. In addition, we aim to encourage the study of Cromwell and the wider history of the period, which includes the Civil War, the Commonwealth and the Protectorate.
We achieve these aims by a variety of activities, including:
· commissioning plaques, panels and monuments at sites
throughout the country which are important to the period
· holding meetings, including a memorial service on Cromwell Day
· publishing news and information about the period
· maintaining a reference library for members' use
· providing advice to television, radio and the press on all matters
relating to the period
· awarding prizes to schoolchildren and students for essays and artwork
associated with this period
What does the Association do?
· We hold two regular meetings each year -
· firstly, an Annual General Meeting in April at which there is a
guest speaker, plus a visit to local sites associated with Cromwell or
the Civil War
· and secondly a memorial service in Cromwell's honour held at the
Houses of Parliament on 3 September (Cromwell Day), the only formal occasion
upon which Cromwell's contribution to our history is commemorated in Britain
today
· we produce an informative newsletter twice a year which tells our
members about events taking place, material being published, interesting
and amusing snippets of information, etc
· we publish an annual historical journal entitled Cromwelliana
· we arrange regular day-schools and occasional conferences at various
locations throughout the country, with guest speakers, lectures and an
opportunity to discuss and share ideas
What are the benefits of membership?
Members:
· receive newsletters twice a year
· receive the annual journal Cromwelliana
· are invited to the AGM, which includes a guest speaker and a visit
to a relevant site in the area
· are invited to the Cromwell Day service, plus a visit to a relevant
site in London
· may use the Association's library
· have the opportunity to attend day-schools, conferences and other
gatherings
· are invited to ceremonies to unveil new plaques, panels and monuments
· know that they are supporting work to commemorate Oliver Cromwell,
to stimulate interest in Cromwell and his times and to preserve the surviving
heritage of that period
Oliver Cromwell - Calendar of Events in his Life
1599 - born Huntingdon, 25 April
1616 - enters Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge
1628 - MP for Huntingdon
1640 - MP for Cambridge
1642
- raises troops for Parliament
1643 - Colonel in the Eastern Association
1644 - Lieutenant-General of the Eastern Association army - Battle of
Marston Moor, 2 July - Battle of Newbury, 27 October
1645 - Lieutenant-General of the New Model Army - Battle of Naseby, 14
June
1647 - supports Parliamentary army in clashes with Parliament
1648 - crushes royalist rising in South Wales - Battle of preston, 18
August
1649 - supports trial and execution of the King, January - commands army
sent to crush Ireland, August
1650 - commands army sent to crush Scotland, July
1650 - Battle of Dunbar, 3 September
1651 - Battle of Worcester, 3 September
1653 - dissolves Parliament, 20 April - becomes Lord Protector, 16 December
1654 - meets first Protectorate Parliament, September
1655 - system of the Major-Generals established, October
1656 - meets second Protectorate Parliament, September
1657 - rejects Parliament's offer of the crown and remains Lord Protector,
March-June
1658 - dies at Whitehall, 3 September
1661 - exhumed and posthumously 'executed', 30 January
The final resting place of Cromwell's physical remains is a matter of dispute. However, it is likely that his body lies near Tyburn in London, now the Marble Arch area. The head believed to be Cromwell's became a rather undignified collector's piece until bequeathed to his old Cambridge College in 1960 and buried near Sidney Sussex chapel.
For
more information about the Cromwell Association, please write to:
Joanne Smith
49 St. Louis Road
West Norwood
London
SE27 9QJ
For an application form to join the association please contact:
Mr J.P. Westmacott
Honorary Treasurer
The Cromwell Association
1 Salisbury Close
WOKINGHAM
Berkshire
RG41 4AJ