This course will examine in detail the personality and career of Oliver Cromwell, and place it in the context of the unique and dramatic events that gripped mid-17th-century England.
The classes will examine Cromwell's life and career in a series of chronological sections, from his birth in 1599, through his rise to military prominence during the 1640s and his gaining of political power in the 1650s, up to his death in 1658. Throughout, the classes will focus especially on what Cromwell sought to achieve, the methods he employed, and the reasons why he proved unable to establish a stable regime during the period of the English Republic (1649-60). Particular attention will be paid to the light that Cromwell's personality throws on the unfolding of events, the motives that guided him and the relationship between his ideas and his actions.
To this end, we will examine a selection of primary sources, especially Cromwell's own letters and speeches.
Learning outcomes
The learning outcomes for this course are:
- To gain an understanding of Cromwell's life and career within the context of his times;
- To identify and evaluate some of the different ways in which Cromwell's life has been interpreted;
- To gain an understanding of Cromwell's beliefs, significance, impact on his times, and legacy.
Classes
- Cromwell’s early life and career, 1599-1642
- Cromwell and the English Civil Wars, August 1642 - August 1648
- From Regicide to Republic, August 1648 - April 1653
- From Commonwealth to Protectorate, April 1653 - January 1655
- The Later Years of the Protectorate, January 1655 - September 1658
Required reading
Smith, David L, *A History of the Modern British Isles, 1603-1707: The Double Crown (Basil Blackwell, Oxford, 1998
Morrill, John, *Oliver Cromwell (Oxford University Press, 2007
Typical week: Monday to Friday
For each week of study you select a morning (Am) and an afternoon (Pm) course, each course has five sessions, one each day Monday to Friday. The maximum class size is 25 students. Your weekly courses are complemented by a series of two daily plenary lectures, exploring new ideas in a wide range of disciplines. To add to the learning experience, we are also planning additional evening talks and events.
| c.8.00am-9.00am |
Breakfast in College (for residents) |
| 9.00am-10.30am |
Am Course |
| 11.15am-12.30pm |
Plenary Lecture |
| 12.30pm-1.45pm |
Lunch |
| 1.45pm-3.15pm |
Pm Course |
| 4.00pm-5.15pm |
Plenary Lecture |
| c.6.00/6.15pm-7.15/7.30pm |
Dinner in College (for residents) |
| c.7.30pm onwards |
Evening talk/event |
Evaluation and Academic Credit
If you are seeking to enhance your own study experience, or earn academic credit from your Cambridge Summer Programme studies at your home institution, you can submit written work for assessment for one or more of your courses.
Essay questions are set and assessed against the University of Cambridge standard by your Course Director, a list of essay questions can be found in the Course Materials. Essays are submitted two weeks after the end of each course, so those studying for multiple weeks need to plan their time accordingly. There is an evaluation fee of £65 per essay.
For more information about writing essays see Evaluation and Academic Credit.
Certificate of attendance
A certificate of attendance will be sent to you electronically within a week of your courses finishing.
