1599 Oliver Cromwell was born in Huntingdon, Cambridge
1616 Cromwell joined Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge University
1617 Cromwell’s father died. Cromwell left Cambridge University and returned to Huntingdon
1620 Cromwell married Elizabeth Bourchier
1628 Cromwell was elected Member of Parliament for Huntingdon
1629 Cromwell attacked bishops in a parliamentary speech
1640 Cromwell elected MP for Cambridge
1642 The English Civil War started. Cromwell raised a troop of cavalry in Huntingdon for Parliament.
1643 Cromwell is appointed a colonel in the cavalry
1644 Cromwell is appointed a lieutenant-general in the Eastern Association

Cromwell fought at the Battle of Marston Moor in July

1645 The New Model Army created. It was lead by Sir Thomas Fairfax and Cromwell was appointed a lieutenant-general in it. The New Model Army fought the Royalists at the Battle of Naseby in June
1647 In June, after failing to reconcile the king, Charles I, Parliament and the army, Cromwell puts his full support behind the army.
1648 Cromwell’s army defeated the Royalists at the Battle of Preston in August. In December, Cromwell pushed for a full trial of Charles I who was to be charged with treason
1649 January 30th, Charles was executed. Cromwell’s signature was third on the death warrant. The Council of State of the Commonwealth replaced the monarchy.
1650 In June, Cromwell was appointed Captain-General of the Commonwealth
1653 Cromwell dissolved the Rump Parliament. In December, Cromwell was appointed Lord Protector of the Commonwealth
1654 Cromwell sent a naval force to the West Indies which seized Jamaica
1655 In May, the process started of dividing England into groups of counties under the command of a major-general. Their task was to enforce local government
1657 System of major-generals ended. Cromwell was offered the crown of England but refused it.
1658 September 3rd, Cromwell died. A state funeral was held in November.
1660 The monarchy, under Charles II, was restored to England
1661 On January 30th, Cromwell’s body was dug up and symbolically executed and then buried at Tyburn.