95-615: The Cromwell Museum in Huntingdon , England, is a museum containing collections exploring the life of Oliver Cromwell and to a lesser extent his son Richard Cromwell . Oliver Cromwell was born in Huntingdon in 1599 and lived there for more than half his life. The museum is located in the former grammar school building in which Cromwell received his early education. Founded in 1962, the museum contains significant artefacts, paintings and printed material relating to The Protectorate . The museum
190-514: A coaching centre, notably at the George Hotel . The town has a well-preserved medieval bridge that used to serve as the main route of Ermine Street over the river. The bridge only ceased to be the sole crossing point to Godmanchester in 1975, with the building of what is now the A1307 (formerly A14 ) bypass . The town's valuable trading position was secured by Huntingdon Castle , of which only
285-516: A Protectorate or Dictatorship). Henry Vane was working on a Reform Bill. Cromwell knew "that if the Reform Bill should be suffered to pass, and a House of Commons be convened, freely elected on popular principles, and constituting a full and fair and equal representation, it would be impossible ever after to overthrow the liberties of the people, or break down the government of the country". According to General Edmund Ludlow (an unapologetic supporter of
380-770: A balcony overlooking the yard. Since 1959, the courtyard and balcony have been used for Shakespeare performances by a company run by the Shakespeare at the George Trust. Until 2024 when the Green King company who run the George Hotel decided it was not in their best interest to continue Shakespeare at the George, ending its 65-year run. Huntingdon has a town council with 19 councillors elected every four years. Two of them serve also as mayor and deputy mayor. Meetings are normally held once
475-738: A basis for a programme of constitutional reforms, and Parliament voted Charles an immediate grant of £400,000. The Triennial Acts required Parliament meet at least every three years, and if the King failed to issue proper summons, the members could assemble on their own. Levying taxes without consent of Parliament was declared unlawful, including Ship money and forced loans, while the Star Chamber and High Commission courts abolished. These reforms were supported by many who later became Royalists , including Edward Hyde , Viscount Falkland , and Sir John Strangways . Where they differed from Pym and his supporters
570-499: A convent, is said to be haunted. The bridge over the Alconbury Brook named Nun's Bridge is said also to be haunted, by one of the nuns who once lived at the convent. She is said often to be accompanied by another ghost that resembles a nurse. The myth goes that the nun had a monk lover who caused them to be murdered. Local news and television programmes are provided by BBC East and ITV Anglia . Television signals are received from
665-478: A copy of the famous "warts, and everything" portrait by Sir Peter Lely (1618-1680), a significant late portrait of Cromwell by Edward Mascall, and several miniatures in the style of Samuel Cooper . The museum has a number of coins from the era plus several portrait medals, including a copy of the Lord Protector medal also by Thomas Simon. The Museum displays a unique group of objects and portraits passed down by
760-620: A file of musketeers entered. As they advanced, Cromwell exclaimed, looking over the House, "You are no Parliament; I say you are no Parliament; begone, and give place to honester men". "While this extraordinary scene was transacting, the members, hardly believing their own ears and eyes, sat in mute amazement, horror, and pity of the maniac traitor who was storming and raving before them. At length Vane rose to remonstrate, and call him to his senses; but Cromwell, instead of listening to him, drowned his voice, repeating with great vehemence, and as though with
855-483: A fundamental misunderstanding of his character. When Prince Rupert suggested in August 1645 the war was lost, Charles responded he was correct from a military viewpoint, but 'God will not suffer rebels and traitors to prosper'. This deeply-held conviction meant he refused any substantial concessions. Aware of divisions among his opponents, he used his position as king of both Scotland and England to deepen them, assuming that he
950-668: A head in October 1641 with the outbreak of the Irish Rebellion ; both Charles and Parliament supported raising troops to suppress it, but neither trusted the other with their control. On 22 November, the Commons passed the Grand Remonstrance by 159 votes to 148, and presented it to Charles on 1 December. The first half listed over 150 perceived 'misdeeds', the second proposed solutions, including church reform and Parliamentary control over
1045-454: A horse racecourse and once was a centre for aviation. Huntingdon is home to many local businesses, including Huntingdon Racecourse . Hinchingbrooke Business Park also contains offices and warehouses. The nearest weather station for long-term data is at RAF Wyton , 3 mi (5 km) north-east of the town centre. More recently Monks Wood, 5 mi (8 km) to the north-west, has also provided data. Like most of Britain, Huntingdon has
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#17328439456861140-522: A key moment in Whig histories of the seventeenth century. American Whig historian Charles Wentworth Upham believed the Long Parliament comprised "a set of the greatest geniuses for government that the world ever saw embarked together in one common cause" and whose actions produced an effect which, at the time, made their country the wonder and admiration of the world, and is still felt and exhibited far beyond
1235-560: A large armed mob attacked Lambeth Palace , seeking to kill him —was impeached in December, joining Strafford in the Tower. At his trial in March 1641, Strafford was indicted on 28 counts of "arbitrary and tyrannical government". Even if these charges were proved, it was not clear they constituted a crime against the king, the legal definition of treason. If he went free, his opponents would replace him in
1330-584: A letter from David Leslie , commander of Scottish forces besieging Newark , announcing that he had the king in custody. Charles ordered the Royalist governor, Lord Belasyse , to surrender Newark, and the Scots withdrew to Newcastle , taking the king with them. This marked the end of the First English Civil War . Many Parliamentarians had assumed military defeat would force Charles to compromise, which proved
1425-467: A month at Huntingdon Town Hall . Huntingdonshire District Council has three wards: Huntingdon North , Huntingdon East and Huntingdon West . The three wards each have two councillors. The main offices of Huntingdonshire District Council are in Huntingdon itself. The third tier of local government is Cambridgeshire County Council providing county-wide services such as roads, education, social services, libraries and heritage protection. Huntingdon
1520-534: A parliament to convene on 3 November 1640. He intended it to pass financial bills, a step made necessary by the costs of the Bishops' Wars against Scotland . The Long Parliament received its name from the fact that, by Act of Parliament, it stipulated it could be dissolved only with agreement of the members; and those members did not agree to its dissolution until 16 March 1660, after the English Civil War and near
1615-621: A replica cannon installed in the 1990s to replace one from the Crimean War , scrapped for the war effort in the Second World War . However, it faces in the opposite direction from the original. St Mary's Street drill hall was built in the late 19th century. The George Hotel on the corner of High Street and George Street was once a posting house. It was named after Saint George of England in 1574 and bought some 25 years later by Henry Cromwell, grandfather of Oliver Cromwell . Charles I made
1710-455: A suit of plain black; with grey worsted stockings. He took his seat; and appeared to be listening to the debate. As the Speaker was about to rise to put the question, Cromwell whispered to Harrison, "Now is the time; I must do it". As he rose, his countenance became flushed and blacked by the terrific passions which the crisis awakened. With the most reckless violence of manner and language, he abused
1805-487: A temperate, maritime climate free of temperature extremes, with rainfall spread fairly evenly over the year. The absolute maximum recorded at Wyton was 35.4 °C (95.7 °F) in August 1990; the temperature at Monks Wood rose in July 2006 to 35.1 °C (95.2 °F). The mean annual warmest day is 29.7 °C (85.5 °F), and on 16 days a year will rise to 25.1 °C (77.2 °F) or above. Typically 43.2 nights of
1900-509: Is a market town in the Huntingdonshire district of Cambridgeshire , England. The town was given its town charter by King John in 1205. It was the county town of the historic county of Huntingdonshire. Oliver Cromwell was born there in 1599 and became one of its Members of Parliament (MP) in 1628. The former Conservative Prime Minister (1990–1997) John Major served as its MP from 1979 until his retirement in 2001 . During
1995-481: Is a grade II* listed building . Following a temporary exhibition held in Huntingdon in 1958 to mark the anniversary of Cromwell's death, Huntingdonshire County Council developed a collection to celebrate the town's most famous resident and it was decided that the vacant grammar school would be a suitable location for a museum dedicated to Cromwell. The Museum opened in 1962 after major internal re-decoration. Initially managed by Huntingdonshire County Council, from 1974
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#17328439456862090-673: Is a special-needs school. Secondary schools include St Peter's School and Hinchingbrooke School . Further education colleges include Huntingdonshire Regional College , Hinchingbrooke School sixth-form college and St Peter's sixth form. Huntingdon railway station is sited on the East Coast Main Line . Services that stop here are operated by Govia Thameslink Railway , on the Thameslink and Great Northern routes. Great Northern services operate between Peterborough and London Kings Cross station ; trains take just over an hour to reach
2185-528: Is currently run as part of a trust dedicated to Oliver Cromwell's legacy and previously by the Cambridgeshire Libraries, Archives and Information Service, part of Cambridgeshire County Council . The Cromwell Museum is located in the old grammar school building attended by Cromwell and the diarist Samuel Pepys . The building retains fragments of the medieval infirmary hall of the Hospital of St John
2280-639: Is freely available and was created in 2002 with the help of a grant from the Wolfson British History Programme . The museum was proposed for closure in the County Council's budget planning proposals for 2015–2016, with cited savings of £20,000 a year. On 1 April 2016 management of the museum passed from Cambridgeshire County Council to a charitable trust. 52°19′51″N 0°11′04″W / 52.33071°N 0.18439°W / 52.33071; -0.18439 Huntingdon Huntingdon
2375-483: Is he? Where are his titles ... For my part, I declare, Sir, it shall never be said that I made such a man my master. This speech swept everything before it. The Rump Parliament which Oliver Cromwell had dispersed in 1653 was once more summoned to assemble, by a declaration from the Council of Officers dated on 6 May 1659. Edmond Ludlow made several attempts to reconcile the army and parliament in this time period but
2470-581: Is in the High Street. Medway Christian Fellowship is based on Medway Road. The highest-ranking football club, Huntingdon Town , plays in the United Counties League . Huntingdon United RGE plays in the Cambridgeshire League . Names are in birth order. Data are from the subject's Misplaced Pages article except where referenced. Source: The following people and military units have received
2565-408: Is one of 60 electoral divisions, represented by two county councillors. The fourth tier of local government is Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority , which is headed by a mayor. The Mayor of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough is Dr Nik Johnson . Huntingdon lies in the parliamentary constituency of the same name (formerly Huntingdonshire ). Ben Obese-Jecty MP (Conservative)
2660-468: The Abbots Ripton rail accident of 1876. The building had been encased in brick and when this was removed a blocked Romanesque doorway was discovered. Other features of the exterior include a bellcote, five decorative arches on its west front and two bays of the hall's nave and aisles. The building was a scheduled Ancient Monument , but was de-scheduled in 2003 following a review by English Heritage . It
2755-570: The City of London and guaranteed his opponents majorities in both houses. In February, Parliament passed the Clergy Act , excluding bishops from the Lords; Charles approved it, since he had already decided to retrieve all such concessions by assembling an army. In March 1642, Parliament decreed its own Parliamentary Ordinances were valid laws, even without royal assent. The Militia Ordinance gave them control of
2850-633: The Defence Equipment and Support arm of the MOD and RAF Alconbury currently occupied by the United States Air Force . Part of the medieval infirmary hall of St Johns in the market place became Huntingdon Grammar School . It was attended by Cromwell and by the diarist Samuel Pepys . The building is now the Cromwell Museum , run by Cambridgeshire County Council . Hinchingbrooke House , once
2945-685: The Domesday Book of 1086. The name means "The huntsman's hill" or possibly "Hunta's hill". Huntingdon seems to have been a staging post for Danish raids outside East Anglia until 917, when the Danes moved to Tempsford , now in Bedfordshire , before they were crushed by Edward the Elder . It prospered successively as a bridging point of the River Great Ouse , a market town, and in the 18th and 19th centuries
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3040-656: The Freedom of the Town of Huntingdon. Long Parliament List of parliaments of England List of acts of the Parliament of England The Long Parliament was an English Parliament which lasted from 1640 until 1660. It followed the fiasco of the Short Parliament , which had convened for only three weeks during the spring of 1640 after an 11-year parliamentary absence . In September 1640, King Charles I issued writs summoning
3135-568: The Good Old Cause who lived in exile after the Restoration ), this reform bill provided for an equal representation of the people, disfranchised several boroughs which had ceased to have a population in proportion to representation, fixed the number of the House at four hundred". It would have "secured to England and to the rest of the world the blessings of republican institutions, two centuries earlier than can now be expected". "Harrison, who
3230-705: The Levellers . Presbyterians in England and Scotland gradually came to see them as more dangerous than the Royalists; an alliance between these three groups eventually led to the Second English Civil War in 1648. While it is not clear there was a majority for removing bishops from the Church, their presence in the House of Lords became increasingly resented due to their role in blocking many of these reforms. Tensions came to
3325-665: The Oxford Parliament . In 1645 Parliament reaffirmed its determination to fight the war to a finish. It passed the Self-denying Ordinance , by which all members of either House of Parliament resigned any military commands, and formed the New Model Army under the command of Fairfax and Cromwell . The New Model Army soon destroyed Charles' armies, and by early 1646, he was on the verge of defeat. Charles left Oxford in disguise on 27 April; on 6 May, Parliament received
3420-707: The Roman Empire , in 274, a massive coin hoard dating to the reign of Tetricus I and Roman Emperor Aurelian was hidden in the grounds of the town. Consisting of 9,724 Roman coins , and discovered in 2018, the Muddy Hoard is considered to date the largest treasure trove of Cambridgeshire. Huntingdon was founded by the Anglo-Saxons and Danes . It is first mentioned in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle in 921, where it appears as Huntandun . It appears as Huntedun in
3515-559: The Sandy Heath TV transmitter. Local radio stations are BBC Radio Cambridgeshire , Heart East , Greatest Hits Radio East , Star Radio and HCR FM , a community based station that broadcast from the town. The Hunts Post is the town's local weekly newspaper. The local primary schools are Hartford Junior School, Huntingdon Primary School, Thongsley Fields Primary School, St John's Primary School, Stukeley Meadows Primary School and Cromwell Academy Primary School. Spring Common School
3610-556: The Second English Civil War was quickly suppressed. Divisions emerged between various factions, culminating in Pride's Purge on 7 December 1648, when, under the orders of Oliver Cromwell 's son-in-law Henry Ireton , Colonel Pride physically barred and arrested 41 of the members of Parliament. Many of the excluded members were Presbyterians . Henry Vane the Younger removed himself from Parliament in protest of this unlawful action by Ireton. He
3705-476: The 1643 Solemn League and Covenant was driven by their concern at the implications for this settlement if Charles defeated Parliament. By 1646, they viewed Charles as a lesser threat than the Independents, who opposed their demand for a unified, Presbyterian church of England and Scotland; Cromwell claimed he would fight rather than agree to it. In July, the Scots and English commissioners presented Charles with
3800-460: The Baptist (circa 1170–90). The hospital was an almshouse for the poor and was founded by David Earl of Huntingdon . Keeping to an Augustinian rule, the masters of the hospital were appointed by the mayor and burgesses of the town until the suppression of chantries and hospitals in 1547. Vested in the corporation of the town, the hospital building became Huntingdon Grammar School which remained in
3895-417: The Commons; Pym, John Hampden , Denzil Holles , Arthur Haselrig , and William Strode . This confirmed fears he intended to use force to shut down Parliament. The members were pre-warned, and evaded arrest. Soon after, Charles left London, accompanied by many Royalist MPs, and members of the Lords, a major tactical mistake. By doing so, he abandoned the largest arsenal in England and the commercial power of
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3990-538: The Council, and, as Treasurer and Commissioner for the Navy, he had almost the exclusive direction of that branch of public service. Cromwell "well knew that while the Long Parliament, that noble company, who had fought the great battle of liberty from the beginning, remained in session, and such men as Vane were enabled to mingle in its deliberations, it would be utterly useless for him to think of executing his purposes" (to set up
4085-499: The George his headquarters in 1645. Later the highwayman Dick Turpin is said to have been a customer when it was a coaching inn on the Great North Road . A theatre was built to the rear of the George in about 1799. The Lincoln company of actors managed by Thomas Shaftoe Robertson and later Fanny Robertson performed here in race weeks. Two wings of the inn burnt down in the mid-19th century, but two were saved, including one with
4180-610: The Independents. His refusal to take the Covenant himself split the Scots; the Kirk Party did not trust Charles, objected to an alliance with English and Scots Royalists, and denounced the Engagement as 'sinful.' After two years of constant negotiation, and refusal to compromise, Charles finally had the pieces in place for a rising by Royalists, supported by some English Presbyterians, and Scots Covenanters. However, lack of co-ordination meant
4275-613: The Museum became the responsibility of the Cambridgeshire County Council library service. The Museum was completely re-displayed in 1988 and refurbished between November 2003 and late May 2004 when major building work was undertaken and temperature control systems installed. The Museum collection is the best collection of "Cromwelliana" in the UK, comprising approximately 610 individual items as of 2009. The museum owns approximately 70% of
4370-564: The New Model Army took control of the city, while on 20 August Cromwell went to Parliament with a military escort, and forced the passing of the Null and Void Ordinance annulling all Parliamentary proceedings since 26 July, leading to the withdrawal of most of the Presbyterian MPs and presaging Pride's Purge the following year. The Putney Debates attempted to address radicals' objectives, but
4465-615: The Newcastle Propositions, which he rejected. His refusal to negotiate created a dilemma for the Covenanters. Even if Charles agreed to a Presbyterian union, there was no guarantee it would be approved by Parliament. Keeping him was too dangerous; as subsequent events proved, whether Royalist or Covenanter, many Scots supported his retention. In February 1647, they agreed to a financial settlement, handed Charles over to Parliament, and retreated into Scotland. In England, Parliament
4560-680: The Rump was reinstalled in May 1659, and in February 1660 General George Monck allowed the members barred in 1648 to retake their seats, so that they could pass the necessary legislation to allow the Restoration and dissolve the Long Parliament. This cleared the way for a new parliament to be elected, which was known as the Convention Parliament . Some key members of the Long Parliament, such as Sir Henry Vane
4655-406: The Scots Covenanters after a second defeat forced him to hold fresh elections in November, which produced a large majority for the opposition, led by John Pym . Parliament was almost immediately presented with a series of " Root and Branch petitions ". These demanded the expulsion of bishops from the Church of England , reflecting widespread concern at the growth of " Catholic practices " within
4750-483: The Tower, and so Pym immediately moved a bill of attainder , asserting Strafford's guilt and ordering his execution. Although Charles announced he would not sign the attainder, on 21 April 204 MPs voted in favour, 59 against, while 250 abstained. On 1 May, rumours of a military plot to release Strafford from the Tower led to widespread demonstrations in London, and on 7th, the Lords voted for execution by 51 to 9. Claiming to fear for his family's safety, Charles signed
4845-438: The Younger and General Edmond Ludlow , were barred from the final acts of the Long Parliament. They claimed the parliament was not legally dissolved, its final votes a procedural irregularity (words used contemporaneously were "device" and "conspiracy") by General George Monck to ensure the restoration of King Charles II of England . On the restoration the general was rewarded with a dukedom. The Long Parliament later became
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#17328439456864940-449: The appointment of royal ministers. In the Militia Ordinance , Parliament asserted control over appointment of army and navy commanders; Charles rejected the Grand Remonstrance and refused to assent to the Militia Ordinance. It was at this point moderates like Hyde decided Pym and his supporters had gone too far, and switched sides. Increasing unrest in London culminated in 23 to 29 December 1641 with widespread riots in Westminster , while
5035-470: The borders of that country, in the progress of reform, and the advancement of popular liberty. He believed its republican principles made it a precursor to the American Revolutionary War . Charles found himself unable to fund the Bishops' Wars without taxes; in April 1640, Parliament was recalled for the first time in eleven years, but when it refused to vote taxes without concessions, he dissolved it after only three weeks. The humiliating terms imposed by
5130-400: The borough charter of 1205, are held by Cambridgeshire Archives and Local Studies at the County Record Office, Huntingdon. Parts of Huntingdon, including the centre, were struck by an F1/T3 tornado on 23 November 1981, during a record-breaking nationwide tornado outbreak on that day. The centre suffered moderate damage. Between the railway station and the old hospital building, stands
5225-451: The building until moving to a new location in 1896, eventually moving to Hinchingbrooke House on the outskirts of the town. The building was extensively modified and shortened during its time as a school. It was remodelled and partially rebuilt in 1863, and then heavily restored in 1878 under the direction of architect Robert Hutchinson at a cost of £900. The work was paid for by the dramatist Dion Boucicault in memory of his son, killed in
5320-423: The capital. Thameslink services run between Peterborough and Horsham , in West Sussex , via St Pancras and Blackfriars . Bus services are operated primarily by Stagecoach East and Whippet . Routes serve the town, including Hinchingbrooke Hospital , and connect Huntingdon with Peterborough, St Neots, Ramsey, St Ives and Cambridge. Luton and Stansted airports are located within 40 miles (64 km) of
5415-402: The character of the House; and, after the first burst of his denunciations had passed, suddenly changing his tone, he exclaimed, "You think, perhaps, this is not parliamentary language; I know it; nor are you to expect such from me". He then advanced out into the middle of the hall, and walked to and fro, like a man beside himself. In a few moments he stamped upon the floor, the doors flew open and
5510-427: The church. Charles' willingness to make war on the Protestant Scots, but not to assist his exiled nephew Charles Louis , led to fears he was about to sign an alliance with Spain , a view shared by the experienced Venetian and French ambassadors. This meant ending arbitrary rule was important not just for England, but the Protestant cause in general. Since direct attacks on the monarch were considered unacceptable,
5605-413: The close of the Interregnum . The parliament sat from 1640 until 1648, when it was purged by the New Model Army . After this point, the remaining members of the House of Commons became known as the Rump Parliament ; Oliver Cromwell disbanded the Rump in April 1653, replacing it with a succession of nominated and elected parliaments. In the chaos following the death of Cromwell in September 1658,
5700-506: The common cause, upon hearing Col Syndenham's justifications of the proceedings of the army in again disrupting parliament, stood up and interrupted him, declaring his abhorrence of that detestable action, and telling the council, that being now going to his God, he had not patience to sit there to hear his great name so openly blasphemed; and thereupon departed to his lodgings, and withdrew himself from public employment. The Council of Officers at first attempted to come to some agreement with
5795-421: The death warrant on 10 May, and Strafford was beheaded two days later. On 5 November 1640 parliament created several committees to parcel out the work they intended to address. The first committee was the Committee for Privileges and Elections under the leadership of John Maynard , MP for Totnes . On the next day, 6 November, parliament established the Grand Committee for Religion . This seemed to provide
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#17328439456865890-452: The descendants of Henry Cromwell including the hat Cromwell is thought to have worn at the dissolution of the Long Parliament in 1653 and his personal powder flask for carrying gunpowder . The Museum also has on display an apothecary's cabinet owned by Cromwell, and a Florentine Cabinet presented to him by the Duke of Tuscany. The majority of public documents relating to Cromwell's public life are held by The National Archives in Kew, but
5985-473: The desperate excitement of the moment, "Sir Harry Vane! Sir Harry Vane! Good Lord deliver me from Sir Harry Vane!" He then seized the records, snatched the bill from the hands of the clerk, drove the members out at the point of the bayonet, locked the doors, put the key in his pocket, and returned to Whitehall. Oliver Cromwell forcibly disbanded the Rump in 1653 when it seemed to be planning to perpetuate itself rather than call new elections as had been agreed. It
6080-403: The earthworks of the motte survive. The site is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and home to a beacon used to mark the 400th anniversary of the Spanish Armada . In 1746, the nurserymen Wood and Ingram of nearby Brampton developed an elm -tree cultivar, Ulmus × hollandica 'Vegeta' , which they named the Huntingdon Elm after the town. Original documents on Huntingdon's history, including
6175-421: The executive government of the nation was committed. Sir Henry Vane was appointed a member of the Council. Cromwell used great pains to induce Vane to accept the appointment, and after many consultations, he so far prevailed in satisfying Vane of the purity of his principles in reference to the Commonwealth, as to overcome his reluctance again to enter the public service. Sir Henry Vane was for some time President of
6270-533: The hostility of the crowd meant the bishops stopped attending the Lords. On 30 December, Charles induced John Williams , Archbishop of York and eleven other bishops, to sign a complaint, disputing the legality of any laws passed by the Lords during their exclusion. This was viewed by the Commons as inviting the king to dissolve Parliament; all twelve were arrested. On 3 January 1642, Charles ordered his Attorney-general to bring charges of treason against Edward Montagu, 2nd Earl of Manchester , and Five Members of
6365-407: The items in its collection, with loan collections from the Bush family (descendants of Henry Cromwell , the fourth son of Oliver Cromwell), the Royal Armouries (who have loaned items of 17th-century military equipment) and objects from the Museum of London including the Tangye Collection . The museum has a number of portraits of Cromwell and his family, including two by Robert Walker (d.1658),
6460-432: The leaders of Parliament. On 15 October 1659, the Council of Officers appointed ten persons to "consider of fit ways and means to carry on the affairs and government of the Commonwealth". On 26 October 1659 the Council of Officers appointed a new Committee of Safety of twenty-three members. On 1 November 1659, the Committee of Safety nominated a committee "to consider of and prepare a form of government to be settled over
6555-442: The leaders of the church, appointed by their congregations. However, Puritan meant anyone who wanted to reform, or 'purify', the Church of England, and contained many different opinions. Some simply objected to Laud's reforms; Presbyterians like Pym wanted to reform the Church of England, along the same lines as the Church of Scotland . Independents believed any state church was wrong, while many were also political radicals like
6650-405: The local militia, or Trained Bands ; those in London were the most strategically critical, because they could protect Parliament from armed intervention by any soldiers which Charles had near the capital. Charles declared Parliament in rebellion and began raising an army, by issuing a competing Commission of Array . At the end of 1642, he set up his court at Oxford , where the Royalist MPs formed
6745-472: The museum holds a large collection of printed pamphlets and copies of key texts of the period, such as The Humble Petition & Advice of 1657, which clarified the organisation of Parliament and the duties of the office of Lord Protector. The Cromwell Collection is located in the nearby Huntingdon Library and Archive building and provides one of the most comprehensive collections of material on Oliver Cromwell and his times outside academic circles. The Collection
6840-433: The north and west. Between Godmanchester, Huntingdon and Brampton lies Portholme Meadow , England's largest. Its 257 acres (104 hectares) contain many rare species of grass, flowers and dragonfly . It is the only known British habitat of the marsh dandelion. It acts as a natural reservoir for water in times of flood, enabling the river to run off slowly, so helping to preclude flooding in nearby towns. It has also served as
6935-409: The people of England are now renowned, all over the world, for their great virtue and discipline; and yet suffer an idiot, without courage, without sense, nay, without ambition, to have dominion in a country of liberty. One could bear a little with Oliver Cromwell, though, contrary to his oath of fidelity to Parliament, contrary to his duty to the public, ... But as for Richard Cromwell, his son, who
7030-583: The people of the universe, I know none who have shown so much zeal for the liberty of their country, as the English, at this time, have done. They have, by the help of Divine Providence, overcome all obstacles, and have made themselves free ... I know not by what misfortune, we are fallen into the error of those, who poised the Emperor Titus to make room for Domitian, who made away Augustus that they might have Tiberius, and changed Claudius for Nero ... whereas
7125-470: The period 1971–2000. Between 1801 and 1901, the current area of Huntingdon consisted of four parishes: Huntingdon All Saints, Huntingdon St Benedict, Huntingdon St John and Huntingdon St Mary. The populations of these were counted in the ten-year UK census and ranged in the period between 2,368 in 1801 and 4,735 in 1891. (The census was omitted in 1941.) In 2011, the parish covered an area of 2,765 acres (1,119 hectares). The population density in that year
7220-650: The return of royalist threats in November led to Fairfax demanding a declaration of loyalty; this re-established command authority over the rank and file, completed at Corkbush . In late November, the king escaped from his guards, and made his way to Carisbrooke Castle . In April 1648, the Engagers became a majority in the Scottish Parliament ; in return for restoring him to the English throne, Charles agreed to impose Presbyterianism in England for three years, and suppress
7315-496: The rump Parliament. Colonel Lambert, Major Grimes, and Colonel Sydenham eventually gained their points, and placed guards both by land and water, to hinder the members of Parliament from approaching the House. Colonel Lambert subsequently acquitted himself to Henry Vane the Younger, Edmond Ludlow and the "Committee on Safety," an instrument of the Wallingford House party acting under their misdirection. Nevertheless, Parliament
7410-399: The same. Although the vast majority believed a 'well-ordered' monarchy was a divinely mandated requirement, they disagreed on what 'well-ordered' meant, and who held ultimate authority in clerical affairs. Royalists generally supported a Church of England governed by bishops , appointed by, and answerable to, the king; most Parliamentarians were Puritans , who believed he was answerable to
7505-652: The town. There are four Church of England churches in Huntingdon; once there were more, which together with those in the adjacent villages Great and Little Stukeley are members of the Huntingdon Team Ministry in the Diocese of Ely . The four are All Saints' (next to the Market Square), St Mary's (opposite Pathfinder House), St Barnabas (on the Oxmoor estate) and All Saints', Hartford . Huntingdon Methodist Church
7600-465: The usual route was to prosecute his "evil counsellors". Doing so showed even if the king was above the law, his subordinates were not, and he could not protect them; the intention was to make others think twice about their actions. Further, they started to create a series of committees and sub-committees starting with the Grand Committee for Religion appointed on 6 November 1640. Their main target
7695-520: The year report an air frost. The absolute minimum at Wyton was −16.1 °C (3.0 °F) in January 1982. The mean for the annual coldest night of the year is −7.7 °C (18.1 °F). With annual rainfall at under 550 millimetres ( 21 + 1 ⁄ 2 inches) a year, the Huntingdon area is among the driest in the UK—103.4 days on average record at least 1 mm of rain. All averages mentioned refer to
7790-406: Was 5,493.1 inhabitants per square mile (2,120.9 inhabitants per square kilometre). The former Literary and Scientific Institute is now Commemoration Hall. Following the 2013 closure of RAF Brampton , once home to Headquarters RAF Support Command , there are now two operational RAF stations within 4 mi (6 km) of the town: RAF Wyton , once a major flying station but now a facility of
7885-461: Was again forcibly dissolved on 13 October 1659. Once again, Sir Henry Vane was the leading catalyst for the republican cause in opposition to force by the military. The persons connected with the administration as it existed at the death of Oliver were, of course, interested in keeping things as they were. Also, it was necessary for someone to assume the reins of government until the public will could be ascertained and brought into exercise. Henry Vane
7980-622: Was closed once again by military force until such time that the army and leaders of Parliament could effect a resolution. Rule then passed to an unelected Committee of Safety , including Lambert and Vane; pending a resolution or compromise with the Army. During these disorders, the Council of State still assembled at the usual place, and: the Lord President Bradshaw , who was present, though by long sickness very weak and much extenuated, yet animated by his ardent zeal and constant affection to
8075-469: Was disbanded. The New Model refused to be disbanded; in early June, Charles was removed from his Parliamentary guards , and taken to Thriplow , where he was presented with the Army Council's terms . Though they were more lenient than the Newcastle Propositions, Charles rejected them; on 26 July, pro-Presbyterian rioters burst into Parliament, demanding he be invited to London. In early August, Fairfax and
8170-535: Was elected to Parliament at Kingston upon Hull, but the certificate was given to another. Vane proceeded to Bristol, entered the canvass, and received the majority. Again the certificate was given to another. Finally Vane proceeded to Whitechurch in Hampshire and was elected a third time and was this time seated in Parliament. Vane managed the debates on behalf of the House of Commons. One of Vane's speeches effectively ended Richard Cromwell's career: Mr. Speaker, among all
8265-457: Was elected to this seat in the House of Commons in 2024, replacing Jonathan Djanogly . The town lies on the north bank of the River Great Ouse opposite Godmanchester and close to the market town of St Ives to the east and the village of Brampton to the west. Huntingdon incorporates the village of Hartford to the east and the developing areas of Oxmoor, Stukeley Meadows and Hinchingbrooke to
8360-460: Was essential to any government; while this was true in 1646, by 1648 key actors believed it was pointless to negotiate with someone who could not be trusted to keep any agreement. Unlike in England, where Presbyterians were a minority, the Bishops' Wars resulted in a Covenanter, or Presbyterian government, and Presbyterian kirk, or Church of Scotland . The Scots wanted to preserve these achievements;
8455-588: Was followed by Barebone's Parliament and then the First , Second and Third Protectorate Parliaments . After Richard Cromwell , who had succeeded his father Oliver as Lord Protector in 1658, was effectively deposed by an officers' coup in April 1659, the officers re-summoned the Rump Parliament to sit. It convened on 7 May 1659, but after five months in power it again clashed with the army (led by John Lambert ) and
8550-452: Was in Cromwell's confidence on this occasion, rose to debate the motion, merely in order to gain time. Word was carried to Cromwell, that the House were on the point of putting the final motion; and Colonel Ingoldby hastened to Whitehall to tell him, that, if he intended to do anything decisive, he had no time to lose". Once the troops were in place Cromwell entered the assembly. He was dressed in
8645-536: Was not party to the execution of Charles I, although Cromwell was. In the wake of the ejections, the remnant, the Rump Parliament , arranged for the trial and execution of Charles I on 30 January 1649. It was also responsible for the setting up of the Commonwealth of England in 1649. Henry Vane the Younger was persuaded to rejoin Parliament on 17 February 1649 and a Council of state was installed, into whose hands
8740-794: Was struggling with the economic cost of the war, a poor 1646 harvest, and a recurrence of the plague. The Presbyterian faction had the support of the London Trained Bands, the Army of the Western Association, leaders like Rowland Laugharne in Wales, and parts of the Royal Navy . By March 1647, the New Model was owed more than £3 million in unpaid wages; Parliament ordered it to Ireland, stating that only those who agreed would be paid. When their representatives demanded full payment for all in advance, it
8835-565: Was the Earl of Strafford , former Lord Deputy of Ireland ; aware of this, he urged Charles to use military force to seize the Tower of London , and arrest any MP or peer guilty of "treasonable correspondence with the Scots". While Charles hesitated, Pym struck first; on 11 November Strafford was impeached, arrested, and sent to the Tower. Other targets, including John Finch , fled abroad; Archbishop William Laud —by then sufficiently unpopular that in May 1640
8930-447: Was their refusal to accept Charles would not keep his commitments, despite evidence to the contrary. He reneged on those made in the 1628 Petition of Right , and agreed terms with the Scots in 1639, while preparing another attack. Both he and Henrietta Maria openly told foreign ambassadors any concessions were temporary, and would be retrieved by force if needed. In this period, 'true religion' and 'good government' were seen as one and
9025-409: Was ultimately unsuccessful. Parliament ordered the regiments of Colonel Morley and Colonel Moss to march to Westminster for their security, and sent for the rest of the troops that were about London to draw down to them also with all speed. In October 1659, Colonel Lambert and various subordinate members of the army, acting in the military interest, resisted Colonel Morley and others who were defending
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