On an April day in 1599
Oliver Cromwell was born
In Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire
In a country always torn
With politics and religion
A part of daily life
His parents were of minor landed Gentry
Far removed from poverty and strife
A University education at Cambridge
With all the knowledge he learned
And when he graduated
To Politics his hand he turned
In 1628 his birthplace he represented
In the House of Parliament for just one year
And then went through a religious crisis
Should he be a servant of God for his career
As radical Puritan he began to make his name
In 16 40 he entered Parliament once more
Charles 1 and Parliament were in disagreement
Which then turned into Civil War
Cromwell lacked in Military experience
He created and led “Ironsides” respected Cavalry
In 1642 when it all started
He rose from Captain to Lt. General with victory
Convincing Parliament to form a Professional Army
And then into battle at Naseby they went
To break the Kin’s alliance with the Scot’s
And their defeat was subsequent
Now Cromwell had established himself
As a Leader in the public’s eye
His actions brought about the trial of King Charles
Andin 1649 by execution he was to die
He sought to win support for a new Republic
Suppressing radical elements in his Army so new
Becoming Lord Lieutenant of Ireland
Crushing garrisons at Wexford and Drogheda too
In 1650 defeated supporters of Charles 11 at Dunbar
And in 1651 at Worcester too , then on to 1653
Effectively ending the Civil War
And further credit in his personal history
He then carried out the “Dissolution of the Rump”
Or “Barebones Parliament” which gave him renown
In 1657 at home he became the Lord Protector
After refusing the Offer of the Crown
He reorganised the Church, Puritanism he established
Readmitted Jewish people back into Britain once again
And presided over religious tolerance
In order the peace to maintain
He ended the war with Portugal and Holland
And allied with France against Spain
Defeating them at the Battle of Dunes
And then returning home once again
Although he returned once again a victor
Defeating once again the foreign foe
It was only months later that he met his demise
And in London he died but with nothing to show
And after the Restoration his body was exhumed
In retribution or so some said
To be hung and put on public display
Even though he was already dead
Richard Cromwell was named as his successor
As Lord Protector he reigned for 1 year
Unable to reconcile the various factions
He abdicated only to disappear
He fled to Paris for more than 20 years
And in 1680 back to England he came
Living here until his death
Under an assumed name