English statesman, the third son of Oliver Cromwell. He served in the parliamentary army, sat in parliament (1654, 1656), and was a member of the Council of State (1657). In 1658 he succeeded his father as Lord Protector (his two elder brothers having died); but he soon fell out with parliament, which he dissolved in 1659. He recalled the Rump Parliament of 1653, but found the task of ruling beyond him, and was forced to abdicate in 1659. After the Restoration (1660) he lived in France and Geneva, under the alias John Clarke, but returned to England in 1680, and spent the rest of his life in Cheshunt, SE England, UK.
Richard Cromwell|
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| Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland. | |
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In office 3 September 1658 – May 25, 1659 |
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| Preceded by | Oliver Cromwell |
| Succeeded by | Charles II (as King) |
| Born |
October 4, 1626 Huntingdon |
| Died |
July 12, 1712 Cheshunt |
| Spouse | Dorothy Maijor |
| Religion | Independent |
Richard Cromwell (October 4, 1626 – July 12, 1712) was the third son of Oliver Cromwell, and the second Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland, for little over eight months, from September 3, 1658 until May 25, 1659.
Early years and family (1626-1653)
Richard was born in Huntingdon on 4 October 1626, the son of Oliver Cromwell and his wife Elizabeth. In 1649 Richard married Dorothy Maijor, daughter of Richard Maijor, a member of the Hampshire gentry. During this period Richard seems to be have been a source of concern for his father, who wrote to Richard Maijor saying “I would have him mind and understand business, read a little history, study the mathematics and cosmography: these are good, with subordination to the things of God.
Move into political life (1653-1658)
In 1653, Richard was passed over from being a member of the Barebones Parliament (his younger brother Henry was a member). Under the Protectorate’s constitution, Oliver Cromwell was required to nominate a successor, and from 1657 he involved Richard much more heavily in the politics of the regime.
Lord Protector (1658-1659)
Oliver Cromwell died on 3 September 1658, and Richard was informed on the same day that he was to succeed him.
Richard was faced by two immediate problems. When Richard refused a demand by the army to dissolve Parliament, troops were assembled at St James’s. Richard eventually gave in to their demands and on 22 April, Parliament was dissolved and the Rump Parliament recalled. On 25 May, after the Rump agreed to pay his debts and provide a pension, Richard delivered a formal letter resigning the position of Lord Protector.
Final years (1659-1712)
During the political difficulties of the winter of 1659, there were rumours that Richard was to be recalled as Protector, but these came to nothing.
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