| 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. |
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