English soldier and statesman (1599-1658) who led Parliamentary forces in the English Civil War, waged war against Scotland and Ireland and, in 1653, following the execution of Charles I, became Lord Protector of Great Britain, a position he held until his death in 1658. After a yearlong reign by his son, Richard, the British throne was restored (to Charles II) and Cromwell's body was exhumed and posthumously 'executed.' Manuscript DS, signed “Oliver P,” one page, 8 x 11.25, April 19, 1655. In part: “Our will and pleasure is, and governs hereby required…to pay unto Sislobono Long Esquire (and for Masters of Requests) the sum of one hundred sixty six pounds six shillings eight pence, for…much of his salary due to him.” In very good to fine condition, with paper loss to the upper left corner tip, trimmed left edge, and scattered foxing.
During the early years of Cromwell's Protectorate, Royalist conspirators led by the Sealed Knot and the Action Party planned a series of uprisings against the government to restore the monarchy by force. In March of 1654, Colonel John Penruddock led a successful revolt in Salisbury and headed west to gain more supporters, but when they arrived in Devon, it took only a single troop of the New Model Army to defeat them. Most of the Royalists fled or were killed, but several, including Penruddock, were captured and brought before a judge to hear their punishment; less than one month after signing this document, Cromwell oversaw their execution. An incredibly scarce and highly sought-after piece from the early years of Cromwell’s reign as Lord Protector.
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