English Lord Protector. He was an English general and statesman, Puritan leader during the English Civil War. When he defeated King Charles I he had Charles I executed and became Lord Protector of the Commonwealth. This was the only time in English history that the monarchy has been ousted. In 1660 the monarchy was restored by Charles II (son of Charles I). On January 30, 1661, the anniversary of the execution of Charles I, Cromwell's body was exhumed and taken by sledge to Tyburn. The procession was greeted by the sounds of outcry and curses from the people. The corpse was hanged from the gallows for a day and at evening the body was buried beneath the gibbet. The head was taken to Westminster Hall, where it was exhibited on a pole until some time near the end of Charles II's reign in 1685. His head passed through many hands before coming into the care of Sydney Sussex College in 1960.

English Lord Protector. He was an English general and statesman, Puritan leader during the English Civil War. When he defeated King Charles I he had Charles I executed and became Lord Protector of the Commonwealth. This was the only time in English history that the monarchy has been ousted. In 1660 the monarchy was restored by Charles II (son of Charles I). On January 30, 1661, the anniversary of the execution of Charles I, Cromwell's body was exhumed and taken by sledge to Tyburn. The procession was greeted by the sounds of outcry and curses from the people. The corpse was hanged from the gallows for a day and at evening the body was buried beneath the gibbet. The head was taken to Westminster Hall, where it was exhibited on a pole until some time near the end of Charles II's reign in 1685. His head passed through many hands before coming into the care of Sydney Sussex College in 1960.

Bio by: Kieran Smith