Biography of Richard Cromwell Lord Protector 1626-1712

Paternal Family Tree: Williams aka Cromwell

Maternal Family Tree: Elizabeth Bourchier 1598-1665

On 22 Aug 1620 [his father] Oliver Cromwell (age 21) and [his mother] Elizabeth Bourchier (age 22) were married.

On 04 Oct 1626 Richard Cromwell Lord Protector was born to Oliver Cromwell (age 27) and Elizabeth Bourchier (age 28).

On 03 Sep 1658 [his father] Oliver Cromwell (age 59) died at Whitehall Palace [Map]. His son Richard Cromwell Lord Protector (age 31) succeeded Lord Protector.

Evelyn's Diary. 25 Apr 1659. A wonderful and sudden change in the face of the public; the new protector, Richard (age 32), slighted; several pretenders and parties strive for the government: all anarchy and confusion; Lord have mercy on us!

Cromwell Resigns his Protectorate

On 25 May 1659 Richard Cromwell Lord Protector (age 32) resigned as Lord Protector.

Pepy's Diary. 17 Jan 1660. Thence I went to Westminster, and met Shaw and Washington, who told me how this day Sydenham (age 44) was voted out of the House for sitting any more this Parliament, and that Salloway was voted out likewise and sent to the Tower, during the pleasure of the House. Home and wrote by the Post, and carried to Whitehall, and coming back turned in at Harper's, where Jack Price was, and I drank with him and he told me, among other, things, how much the Protector (age 33) is altered, though he would seem to bear out his trouble very well, yet he is scarce able to talk sense with a man; and how he will say that "Who should a man trust, if he may not trust to a brother and an uncle;" and "how much those men have to answer before God Almighty, for their playing the knave with him as they did". He told me also, that there was; £100,000 offered, and would have been taken for his restitution, had not the Parliament come in as they did again; and that he do believe that the Protector will live to give a testimony of his valour and revenge yet before he dies, and that the Protector will say so himself sometimes. Thence I went home, it being late and my wife in bed.

Pepy's Diary. 02 Mar 1660. This morning I went early to my Lord at Mr. Crew's (age 62), where I spoke to him. Here were a great many come to see him, as Secretary Thurlow (age 43) who is now by this Parliament chosen again Secretary of State. There were also General Monk's (age 51) trumpeters to give my Lord a sound of their trumpets this morning. Thence I went to my office, and wrote a letter to Mr Downing (age 35) about the business of his house. Then going home, I met with Mr. Eglin, Chetwind, and Thomas, who took me to the Leg in King's street, where we had two brave dishes of meat, one of fish, a carp and some other fishes, as well done as ever I ate any. After that to the Swan [Map] tavern, where we drank a quart or two of wine, and so parted. So I to Mrs. Jem and took Mr. Moore with me (who I met in the street), and there I met W. Howe and Sheply. After that to Westminster Hall [Map], where I saw Sir G. Booth (age 37) at liberty. This day I hear the City militia is put into good posture, and it is thought that Monk (age 51) will not be able to do any great matter against them now, if he have a mind. I understand that my Lord Lambert (age 40) did yesterday send a letter to the Council, and that to-night he is to come and appear to the Council in person. Sir Arthur Haselrigge (age 59) do not yet appear in the House. Great is the talk of a single person, and that it would now be Charles (age 29), George (age 51), or Richard (age 33)-For the last of which, my Lord St. John (age 61) is said to speak high. Great also is the dispute now in the House, in whose name the writs shall run for the next Parliament; and it is said that Mr. Prin (age 60), in open House, said, "In King Charles's". From Westminster Hall [Map] home. Spent the evening in my study, and so after some talk with my wife, then to bed.

Pepy's Diary. 03 Mar 1660. To Westminster Hall [Map], where I found that my Lord was last night voted one of the Generals at Sea, and Monk (age 51) the other. I met my Lord in the Hall, who bid me come to him at noon. I met with Mr. Pierce the purser, Lieut. Lambert (age 40), Mr. Creed, and Will. Howe, and went with them to the Swan [Map] tavern. Up to my office, but did nothing. At noon home to dinner to a sheep's head. My brother Tom (age 26) came and dined with me, and told me that my mother was not very well, and that my Aunt Fenner was very ill too. After dinner I to Warwick House, in Holborn, to my Lord, where he dined with my Lord of Manchester (age 58), Sir Dudley North (age 77), my Lord Fiennes (age 52), and my Lord Barkly. I staid in the great hall, talking with some gentlemen there, till they all come out. Then I, by coach with my Lord, to Mr. Crew's (age 62), in our way talking of publick things, and how I should look after getting of his Commissioner's despatch. He told me he feared there was new design hatching, as if Monk (age 51) had a mind to get into the saddle. Here I left him, and went by appointment to Hering, the merchant, but missed of my money, at which I was much troubled, but could not help myself. Returning, met Mr. Gifford, who took me and gave me half a pint of wine, and told me, as I hear this day from many, that things are in a very doubtful posture, some of the Parliament being willing to keep the power in their hands. After I had left him, I met with Tom Harper, who took me into a place in Drury Lane, where we drank a great deal of strong water, more than ever I did in my life at onetime before. He talked huge high that my Lord Protector (age 33) would come in place again, which indeed is much discoursed of again, though I do not see it possible. Hence home and wrote to my father at Brampton by the post. So to bed. This day I was told that my Lord General Fleetwood (age 42) told my lord that he feared the King of Sweden is dead of a fever at Gottenburg.

Pepy's Diary. 13 Oct 1664. After being at the office all the morning, I home and dined, and taking leave of my wife with my mind not a little troubled how she would look after herself or house in my absence, especially, too, leaving a considerable sum of money in the office, I by coach to the Red Lyon in Aldersgate Street, and there, by agreement, met W. Joyce and Tom Trice, and mounted, I upon a very fine mare that Sir W. Warren helps me to, and so very merrily rode till it was very darke, I leading the way through the darke to Welling, and there, not being very weary, to supper and to bed. But very bad accommodation at the Swan. In this day's journey I met with Mr. White, Cromwell's chaplin that was, and had a great deale of discourse with him. Among others, he tells me that Richard (age 38) is, and hath long been, in France, and is now going into Italy. He owns publiquely that he do correspond, and return him all his money. That Richard (age 38) hath been in some straits at the beginning; but relieved by his friends. That he goes by another name, but do not disguise himself, nor deny himself to any man that challenges him. He tells me, for certain, that offers had been made to the old man, of marriage between the King (age 34) and his [his sister] daughter (age 26), to have obliged him, but he would not1. He thinks (with me) that it never was in his power to bring in the King (age 34) with the consent of any of his officers about him; and that he scorned to bring him in as Monk (age 55) did, to secure himself and deliver every body else. When I told him of what I found writ in a French book of one Monsieur Sorbiere, that gives an account of his observations herein England; among other things he says, that it is reported that Cromwell did, in his life-time, transpose many of the bodies of the Kings of England from one grave to another, and that by that means it is not known certainly whether the head that is now set up upon a post be that of Cromwell, or of one of the Kings. Mr. White tells me that he believes he never had so poor a low thought in him to trouble himself about it. He says the hand of God is much to be seen; that all his children are in good condition enough as to estate, and that their relations that betrayed their family are all now either hanged or very miserable.

Note 1. The Protector wished the Duke of Buckingham (age 36) to marry his daughter Frances (age 26). She married, 1. Robert Rich, grandson and heir to Robert, Earl of Warwick, on November 11th, 1657, who died in the following February; 2. Sir John Russell, Bart (age 24). She died January 27th, 1721-22 [Note. Other sources day 1720], aged eighty-four. In T. Morrice's life of Roger, Earl of Orrery (age 43), prefixed to Orrery's "State Letters" (Dublin, 1743, vol. i., p. 40), there is a circumstantial account of an interview between Orrery (then Lord Broghill) and Cromwell, in which the former suggested to the latter that Charles II should marry Frances Cromwell (age 26). Cromwell gave great attention to the reasons urged, "but walking two or three turns, and pondering with himself, he told Lord Broghill (age 43) the King (age 34) would never forgive him the death of his father. His lordship desired him to employ somebody to sound the King (age 34) in this matter, to see how he would take it, and offered himself to mediate in it for him. But Cromwell would not consent, but again repeated, 'the King (age 34) cannot and will not forgive the death of his father;' and so he left his lordship, who durst not tell him he had already dealt with his majesty in that affair. Upon this my Lord withdrew, and meeting Cromwell's wife and daughter, they inquired how he had succeeded; of which having given them an account, he added they must try their interest in him, but none could prevail"..

In 1665 [his mother] Elizabeth Bourchier (age 67) died.

Pepy's Diary. 08 Apr 1666. To the Chappell, but could not get in to hear well. But I had the pleasure once in my life to see an Archbishop (age 70) (this was of Yorke) in a pulpit. Then at a loss how to get home to dinner, having promised to carry Mrs. Hunt thither. At last got my Lord Hinchingbroke's (age 18) coach, he staying at Court; and so took her up in Axe-yard [Map], and home and dined. And good discourse of the old matters of the Protector and his family, she having a relation to them. The Protector (age 39)1 lives in France: spends about £500 per annum. Thence carried her home again and then to Court and walked over to St. James's Chappell, thinking to have heard a Jesuite preach, but come too late. So got a Hackney and home, and there to business. At night had Mercer comb my head and so to supper, sing a psalm, and to bed.

Note 1. Richard Cromwell (age 39) subsequently returned to England, and resided in strict privacy at Cheshunt for some years before his death in 1712.

In or before 1679. John Hayls (age 78). Portrait of Richard Cromwell Lord Protector (age 52).

On 12 Jul 1712 Richard Cromwell Lord Protector (age 85) died.

Royal Ancestors of Richard Cromwell Lord Protector 1626-1712

Kings Wessex: Great x 24 Grand Son of King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons

Kings England: Great x 18 Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Kings Franks: Great x 26 Grand Son of Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King Franks

Kings France: Great x 21 Grand Son of Robert "Pious" II King France

Ancestors of Richard Cromwell Lord Protector 1626-1712

Great x 3 Grandfather: Morgan Williams

Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Cromwell 14 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandfather: Walter Cromwell 12 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandmother: Katherine Cromwell 13 x Great Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 4 Grandmother: Katherine Glossop

Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Cromwell aka Williams 15 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Murfyn

Great x 2 Grandmother: Frances Mirfyn

GrandFather: Robert Cromwell 16 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Warren of Feering in Essex

Great x 2 Grandfather: Ralph Warren

Great x 1 Grandmother: Joan Warren

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Lake alias Davy of Cornwall

Great x 2 Grandmother: Joan Trelake

Father: Oliver Cromwell 17 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Great x 1 Grandfather: William Steward

GrandMother: Elizabeth Steward

Richard Cromwell Lord Protector 18 x Great Grand Son of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

GrandFather: John Bourchier

Mother: Elizabeth Bourchier