Born – 1598
Died – 19th November 1665
Father – Sir James Bourchier
Mother – Frances Crane
Spouse – m. 1620 – Oliver Cromwell (1599 – 1658)
Children – Robert (1621 -1639), Oliver (1623 – 1644), Bridget (1624 – 1681), Richard (1626 – 1712), Henry (1628 – 1674), Elizabeth (1629 – 1658), James (1632), Mary (1637 – 1713), Frances (1638 – 1721)
1598 (during)
Elizabeth Cromwell, nee Bourchier, was born during the year 1598 to Sir James Bourchier and Frances Crane.
1620 (August)
Elizabeth Bourchier married Oliver Cromwell at St Giles’ Church in Cripplegate, London. They made their home in Huntingdon.
1621 (during)
A son, Robert, was born to Elizabeth and Oliver.
1623 (during)
A son, Oliver, was born to Elizabeth and Oliver.
1624 (during)
A daughter, Bridget, was born to Elizabeth and Oliver.
1626 (4th October)
A son, Richard, was born to Elizabeth and Oliver.
1628 (20th January)
A son, Henry, was born to Elizabeth and Oliver.
1628 (early)
Elizabeth’s husband, Oliver Cromwell, became Member of Parliament for Huntingdon.
1629 (2nd July)
A daughter, Elizabeth, was born to Elizabeth and Oliver.
1631 (during)
Elizabeth and Cromwell moved to St Ives in Cambridgeshire.
1632 (during)
A son, James, was born to Elizabeth and Oliver. He died in infancy.
1634 (during)
Elizabeth’s husband, Oliver Cromwell, applied for permission to emigrate to Connecticut in America but his application to leave was refused by the government.
1636 (during)
Elizabeth and her family moved to Ely after her husband inherited control of properties in Ely as well as the job of tithe collector for Ely Cathedral. The property and collection of tithes vastly increased his income.
1637 (early)
A daughter, Mary, was born to Elizabeth and Oliver.
1638 (during)
A daughter, Frances, was born to Elizabeth and Oliver.
1639 (during)
Elizabeth Cromwell’s eldest son, Robert died.
1640 (13th April)
Elizabeth’s husband, Oliver Cromwell, became Member of Parliament for Cambridge.
1642 (22nd August)
King Charles I raised his standard at Nottingham beginning a civil war between his supporters, known as Royalists, and Parliament.
1642 (August)
After the outbreak of civil war, Elizabeth’s husband, Oliver Cromwell, became a captain in the Parliamentarian army.
1643 (after 28th July)
Elizabeth’s husband, Oliver Cromwell, was promoted to the rank of colonel.
1644 (during)
Elizabeth’s son, Oliver died.
1644 (Spring)
Elizabeth’s husband, Oliver Cromwell, had been promoted to Lieutenant General of the Earl of Manchester’s army.
1644 (2nd July)
Elizabeth’s husband played a major part in securing victory for Parliament at the Battle of Marston Moor.
1645 (around)
As her husband became a more important figure in the Parliamentarian army so Elizabeth became the victim of ridicule by the Royalists. She was nicknamed Joan and accused of adultery and drunkenness in an attempt to undermine her Puritan husband.
1645 (6th January)
Elizabeth’s husband played a major role in the formation of the New Model Army of which he became second in command.
1646 (during)
Following the defeat of the Royalists at the Battle of Naseby, Elizabeth and her family moved to London.
1646 (during)
Elizabeth’s daughter Bridget married Henry Ireton, a senior Parliamentarian officer.
1646 (during)
Elizabeth’s daughter, Elizabeth married John Claypole
1647 (June)
Elizabeth met King Charles while he was imprisoned in Hampton Court.
1648 (February)
Elizabeth’s husband was called to back to the Parliamentarian army after Charles I escaped and made a deal with the Scots.
1648 (December)
After Charles I had been defeated again, Elizabeth’s husband refused to negotiate with him and began to push for the King to be tried for treason and executed.
1649 (during)
Elizabeth’s son, Richard, married Dorothy Maijor, daughter of a country gentleman.
1649 (20th January)
King Charles was tried for treason by a High Court of Justice specially set up for the trial. Many members of parliament secretly objected to the trial and stayed away.
1649 (30th January)
King Charles I was beheaded in front of the Palace of Whitehall.
1649 (August)
Elizabeth’s husband went to Ireland to take control of the country and put down rebellions against Parliament.
1650 (around)
Elizabeth and her family had moved into rooms next to Whitehall Palace.
1653 (16th December)
Elizabeth’s husband, Oliver Cromwell, was appointed Lord Protector of England for life. The title gave him full control over government and the judiciary.
1654 (Spring)
Elizabeth and her family now lived in Whitehall Palace and Hampton Court.
1657 (8th May)
Parliament offered Elizabeth’s husband the crown but he refused.
1658 (during)
Elizabeth’s daughter, Elizabeth, died.
1658 (3rd September)
Elizabeth’s husband Oliver Cromwell died in the Palace of Whitehall from a fever. He was buried in Westminster Abbey.
1658 (3rd September)
Elizabeth’s son Richard succeeded his father as Lord Protector.
1659 (25th May)
Elizabeth’s son Richard resigned as Lord Protector.
1659 (Summer)
Parliament granted Elizabeth a maintenance income.
1660 (Summer)
Elizabeth left England for France. She attempted to take some valuables with her but this was discovered and she had to give them up.
1660 (July)
Elizabeth’s son Richard went to France after he received much negative press.
1662 (around)
Elizabeth returned to England where she lived with her son-in-law John Claypolwe in Northamptonshire.
1665 (early November)
Elizabeth died at Norborough, Northamptonshire.
1665 (19th November)
Elizabeth was buried at Norborough church.
Published Sept 09, 2018 @ 11:28 am – Updated – [last-modified]
Harvard Reference for this page:
Heather Y Wheeler. (2018 – 2020). Elizabeth Cromwell nee Bourchier 1598 – 1665. https://www.thetimelinegeek.com/elizabeth-cromwell-nee-bourchier-1598-1665. Last accessed [date]