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Cromwell Museum

After Charles the Second was executed in 1649 Oliver Cromwell emerged as the leader of the new republic. He was extreme in his religious views, and his religion guided his policy, often with disastrous consequences. He took his army to Ireland, seeing it as his God-given mission to punish the Catholics who had rebelled against English rule in 1641. The Irish were defeated at Drogheda and Wexford. All Catholic land was confiscated, and the Irish were obliged to convert to Protestantism. Rebels who escaped death were shipped off to new colonies in the West Indies. Forty percent of the Irish population died between 1641 and 1650. The brutality of Cromwell's campaign left a religious divide in Ireland that continues to this day. For Ireland the wars of religion continue, and there's no need for any visitors centre to remember them by.

After subduing Ireland Cromwell took on Scotland. The Scots had been reluctant allies during the Civil War, but they had not agreed with the execution of Charles the First, and welcomed Charles the Second, son of the former king, to Edinburgh where he was crowned in a ceremony designed to antagonize Cromwell. Cromwell defeated the Scots at Dunbar in 1651, and an army of Scots and Royalists at Worcester in 1652. Westminster now ruled the whole of the British Isles.

On the 3rd of September 1658, Lord protector Oliver Cromwell, who had turned into something of a dictator, died. The power vacuum was not filled by his son Richard. So after a confused period the king was recalled, and Charles the Second was crowned at Westminster Abbey on the 23rd of April 1661.

 

The Cromwell Museum

The Cromwell Museum in Huntingdon near Cambridge offers an exhibition of portraits, objects and documents associated with Cromwell. The museum is housed in the old grammar school once attended by Cromwell. School groups of up to twenty five people are welcome. Tours can be tailored to specific needs. A teachers' pack is available, and there is also a plan for loans of material to be made to schools. Regular events linked to Cromwell also take place.

Opening Times: The museum is open every day except Monday. From April to October it is open Tuesday to Sunday 10.30am - 12.30 and 1.30pm - 4pm. From November to March opening times are Tuesday to Friday and Sunday 1.30pm - 4pm and on Saturday 10.30am - 12.30 and 1.30pm - 4pm. Admission is free.

Directions: Huntingdon is sixteen miles west of Cambridge and three miles east of the A1. The museum is in the centre of Huntingdon next to the Market Place. Click here for an interactive map centred on Huntingdon.

Access: the museum is fully accessible to wheelchair users. One doorway might be too narrow for the widest chairs. There are plans for touch tours. Contact the museum for details.

Contact: 01480 375830