The Truth About Oliver Cromwell, the Battle of Dunbar (1650) and the Wars of the Three Kingdoms

The Truth About Oliver Cromwell, the Battle of Dunbar (1650) and the Wars of the Three Kingdoms

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
2:20 Oliver Cromwell
3:29 Battle of Dunbar
6:39 Aftermath
7:49 Subscribe and Support

What is the truth about Oliver Cromwell and the Battle of Dunbar of 1650? Vladimir Lenin, a leader in the Bolshevik Revolution and in early Soviet Russia, once said that: “There are decades where nothing happens; and there are weeks where decades happen.” This sentiment could not apply more perfectly to the period surrounding the Battle of Dunbar, as the 17th century in the history of these isles is frankly pretty crazy.

The Battle of Dunbar took place within the broader Wars of the Three Kingdoms, a series of intertwined conflicts between the Kingdoms of Ireland, Scotland and England (Wales was essentially considered part of England at this point). Lasting around 14 years from 1639 and 1653, and sometimes referred to as the British Civil War, more major events happened in these 14 years than happened in entire centuries in other periods of history. The Wars of the Three Kingdoms included the 1639 to 1640 Bishops' Wars, the First and Second English Civil Wars, the Irish Confederate Wars, the brutal Cromwellian conquest of Ireland as well as the Anglo-Scottish war of 1650–1652.

To try and simplify these complex events a little. On top of major religious conflict and sentiment, the lines of division of many of these events related to clashes between supporters and opponents of Charles I and his descendants, with Charles I ruling as the King of England, Scotland and Ireland from 1625 until his execution in 1649. One character that was a strong advocate of the execution of Charles I was Oliver Cromwell, one of the most important characters in the history of these isles.

Now Cromwell is a figure who deserves a video all of his own. Even with a mere mention of his name, things get a little intense. Cromwell is infamously known for the brutality of his conquest of Ireland between 1649-1653. He rose to prominence during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, firstly as a Senior Commander in the Parliamentarian army, an army who opposed Charles I, and later as a politician.

He famously went on to serve as Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland, known as the Protectorate, from 1653 until his death in 1658. From commoner to Head of State, the story of Cromwell has been described as one of the greatest rises of a commoner in English history, thrown up the social hierarchy by a combination of the turbulence of the time coupled with his capabilities and viciousness. He is in fact the only English commoner to become the overall head of state. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.

Cromwell lead the English side at the Battle of Dunbar of 1650.

Sources:

Britannica: Battle of Dunbar https://www.britannica.com/event/Batt...

Battle of Dunbar (1650) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_...)

World History Encyclopedia - Battle of Dunbar in 1650 https://www.worldhistory.org/article/...

Anglo-Scottish war (1650–1652) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anglo-S...)

The Rise of Oliver Cromwell – Dan Snow’s History Hit - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

Oliver Cromwell https://www.britannica.com/biography/...

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE 'WARS OF THE THREE KINGDOMS' https://www.history.co.uk/articles/a-...

Cromwellian conquest of Ireland https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cromwel...

History Hit - 10 Facts About Oliver Cromwell https://www.historyhit.com/facts-abou...

The Making of Oliver Cromwell by Ronald Hutton -https://www.bristol.ac.uk/history/res....

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Cromwell Documentary - Oliver Cromwell - The Battle of Dunbar - Scottish History