Your students will respond to this hands-on-history presentation of the execution of a reigning king and the plotting and intrigues surrounding Cromwell’s Commonwealth. Letters to and from Oliver Cromwell, a contemporary ballad sheet, journal pages from the House of Commons recreate these exciting events. Historian: John Langdon-Davies. The contents of this Jackdaw feature:
Broadsheets
- The “Cruel Necessity” and After
- The Protectorate
- Honest John
- John Milton
- Ireland and Scotland
- Abroad
- The End of It All
Historical Documents
- Cromwell trampling on Error and Faction — an engraving.
- Letter to Cromwell from John Lilburne and Richard Overton, 1649.
- “Strange Predictions” — a contemporary ballad sheet.
- Pages from the journal of the House of Commons recording the dismissal of the Long Parliament.
- Letter from Oliver Cromwell to Praise-God Barebone.
- Petition from John Milton to Commissioners for Sequestration.
- “A Looking-Glasse for a Drunkard” — a broadside.
- Dr. Dorislaw’s Ghost, Presented by Time to un-mask the Vizards of the Hollanders” — a broadside.
- “A List of all the Victories, and successful Atchievements of the Parliament’s fleet” — a broadside.
- Royalist playing cards satirizing the Commonwealth and leaders.
Study Guide / Lesson Plan – Reproducible Activities