A Journey through the House

Every visit to Oliver Cromwell's House should be a special occasion! We are very keen that you are able to enjoy every part of your visit, and encourage you to pick up and touch items throughout your visit. Feel the weight of the helmets, or touch the home-made soap, pick up the tankards, and try on the clothes. All we ask is that you replace the items carefully, and enjoy the experience. If any of the items are delicate then we will tell you by placing a sign on them. Usually anything you cannot touch will be behind a rope. And because we are an old building, please remember to take care.

To begin your journey through the House, enter the woody aroma in the darkened parlour to see Mrs. Cromwell sewing by the fire, feel the ambience of the old pine panelling, and upon request view the original hidden wall-paintings.

Step into the kitchen where Mrs. Cromwell would have spent many hours preparing her recipes and supervising the maid. Today you can still see a maid, but in Cromwell's time a cutout was placed by the window to let onlookers think there was plenty of staff. A crafty trick to give an impression of wealth! If you stand by the window yourself, you will see the very same view that Cromwell would have seen all those years ago.

Climb the stairs to The Portrait Room, and take some time to watch the video to learn about Cromwell and his family. Enjoy the magnificent portrait of Oliver, painted in the style of Sir Peter Lely, and look for the new addition to our collection, an oak carved statue of Oliver Cromwell. This was kindly donated by Mr and Mrs Yelloly, who have looked after Oliver in their family for many generations.

Enjoy the Civil War exhibition where you will have the chance to try on helmets and costumes, mums and dads too! You will find lots of information about the Cavaliers and Roundheads and see what the Civil Was was really about.
Cromwell is seated in his study, and you will hear what he thought about his family, his work and his home. Take some time in this room to imagine you are Cromwell sitting at his desk. What would you be thinking?

The Haunted Bedroom will tell you the story of Cromwell's death. See if you can see the door where it is thought there may be ghosts to this day. Keep listening to find out what happened to Cromwell after he was buried.

Carefully take the stairs down, and through the lower gallery. Take note of the 13th century doorway, the old pub sign, and make you way into the Tithe Office. In here is a spectacular 15th century window on the left. This room dates back to 1615 and was Oliver Cromwell's office. Can you imagine him here today?

You will have chance to watch the specially commissioned short film 'The Draining of the Fens', in which John Craven guides the viewer through the fascinating history of how the Fens have changed over the years.

Take the door out and return to the Tourist Information Centre, and don't forget to ask the staff any questions you may have.

Remember, we can arrange guided tours, special activities for groups, and themed visits for those with special interests. We work closely alongside the National Curriculum for students or teachers working on associated projects.

Please use our online enquiry form for special events, open evenings or special offers.

About Oliver Cromwell

Oliver Cromwell was born in 1599 and died in 1658. He was a religious man, a successful politician, and fiercely close to his family.

Born in Huntingdon on 25th April 1599, Cromwell went to the local grammar school and then onto Sidney Sussex College in Cambridge. He married Elizabeth Bourchier in 1620, and they moved to Ely in 1636 when her uncle, Sir Thomas Steward, died. Along with his inheritance came the post 'Farmer of the Tithes'.

Cromwell became a member of parliament for Cambridge in 1640, and eventually rose to power in during the Civil War to become 'Lord Protector of the Commonwealth'.

Cromwell had nine children: Robert, Oliver, Bridget, Richard, Henry, Elizabeth, James, Mary and Frances. His favourite daughter was Elizabeth, and she was married in Ely.

Time Line of the Civil War and the Commonwealth

The following timeline shows the chronological sequence of events - select the date links to see detailed information:

Time Line of the Civil War

1625: Charles 1st succeeds to the throne.
Charles 1st became king at the age of twenty-five. His belief in the Divine Right of Kings bought him into conflict with parliament, who were increasingly infuriated by his dictatorial stance.

1629: Charles 1st dissolves parliament
When parliament tried to force reforms on Charles his response was to disband parliament completely. He then went on to rule Britain, on his own, for the next eleven years. In this time he brought in a number of tax raising measures which were exceptionally unpopular, the most disliked being the 'ship tax' which was levied on all towns.

1640: Short Parliament
His inability to control the army and raise the money he needed to put down a rebellion in Scotland finally led Charles 1st to restore parliament in 1640. The parliament lasted only three weeks after MPs refused to help raise taxes without reform. Charles disbanded parliament in frustration and it became known as the Short Parliament.

1640 - 1653: Long Parliament
Later that year the situation became worse and Charles was forced to recall parliament once again. This time it lasted thirteen years, gaining it the name the Long Parliament, in contrast with the short-lived period before it. Oliver Cromwell was MP for Cambridge within this parliament. The Long Parliament continued throughout the Civil War and was finally brought to an end by Oliver Cromwell himself.

1642: Outbreak of civil war
A document, called the Grand Remonstrance, was drawn up by Pym, the leader of the rebel MPs. This catalogued a list of grievances against the king and was narrowly passed by parliament. Charles 1st reacted by attempting to use armed force to arrest the rebel MPs but they had fled before the king and his troops arrived. Realising he had over-stepped the mark the king left London and the English Civil War began.

1642 - 1649: Battles and Battlefields

The Battle of Edgehill (Warwickshire, England).
23rd October 1642
This was the first major battle of the Civil War. The battle ended as the daylight faded with neither side able to claim victory.

The Battle of Marston Moor (Yorkshire, England).
2nd July 1644
Until this date the royalist cavalry, commanded by Prince Rupert, had never been defeated. This battle saw the parliamentarians win a resounding victory. They were led by Oliver Cromwell and the result confirmed his status as an outstanding military strategist.

The Battle of Naseby (Northamptonshire, England).
14th June 1645
By 1645 the New Model Army of the parliamentarian side had been created and was commanded by Sir Thomas Fairfax. This army completely overwhelmed the Royalist side and marked the effective end of the war. The Royalist army surrendered that year.

The Battle of Dunbar (Lothian, Scotland).
1650
Despite being outnumbered almost two to one Cromwell's army had a decisive victory over the Scots at Dunbar. Although the Civil War with the Royalist army ended in 1645 with the Battle of Naseby, war was not yet over. The Scots, who had supported the Parliamentarians for most of the preceding period, changed their support to the king and his son, Charles 2nd.

1644-1645: New Model Army created and the Royalist army defeated.
Differences between the commanders of various sections of the parliamentarian army led Cromwell to form a national army with one commander. This army was disciplined, wore a uniform and was paid. It was named the New Model Army and was commanded by Sir Thomas Fairfax. This new style army proved exceptionally effective against the Royalists and later the Scots and the Irish.

1647 Charles 1st imprisoned
King Charles 1st fled to Scotland after the Royalist defeat at the Battle of Naseby. The Scots eventually handed him over to Parliament. By this time there were serious disagreement between Parliament and its army. The army, with Oliver Cromwell on its side, kidnapped the king from Parliament. Although he escaped to the Isle of Wight, he was then imprisoned there in Carisbrooke Castle.

1649: Charles 1st tried and executed.
It was the plotting of King Charles 1st that led to his execution. Parliament had been trying to negotiate with the king but gave up and turned to the army when they learned he was trying to organise an invasion by the Scots.
The trial of Charles 1st began in January 1649 and lasted only one week. Many Parliamentarians, including Sir Thomas Fairfax the commander of the New Model Army, felt that the execution of the king was too extreme but Cromwell was reluctantly insistent. His was the third of the fifty-nine signatures that signed the death warrant. When the king was executed in public there were groans rather than cheers and the executioners themselves were disguised for their own safety.

1649 - 1660: Timeline of The Commonwealth

1649: Britain ruled as a Republic.
After the execution of Charles 1st the monarchy was abolished and England was declared a Commonwealth. Cromwell hoped that the country could be ruled by parliament but there were many problems to be faced including the plotting of the Scots and Charles 2nd, the Irish rebellion and internal revolt by the Levellers.

1653: Cromwell dissolves Long Parliament
The Long Parliament had existed throughout the Civil War and had governed and passed laws. Many of these laws reflected Puritan values and were not welcomed by much of the population. Moreover, in Cromwell's eyes, it remained inefficient and corrupt. The last period of this parliament was known as the Rump Parliament. By 1653 Oliver Cromwell was totally frustrated by the parliament and, with the force of the army behind him, dissolved it.

1653: Britain ruled as a Protectorate.
With the Long Parliament dissolved Oliver Cromwell declared himself Lord Protectorate and ruled as a virtual dictator until his death in 1658. He continued to command the support of the army but was unable to establish a parliament that he felt was satisfactory. In 1657 he was offered the crown of England by the Protectorate Parliament, but he declined it. His son, Richard, succeeded him when he died but resigned a year later.

1658: Cromwell dies
Oliver Cromwell died on the 3rd September 1658 and he was buried at Westminster Abbey. On the return of Charles 2nd his body was dug up and an execution enacted. His head was cut off and left on public display outside Westminster Hall for twenty-four years. The head was then hidden, sold, displayed in numerous ways until it was finally offered to Sidney Sussex College in Cambridge where Cromwell had once been a student. It is now buried somewhere in the grounds of the college.

1660: Charles 2nd returns to throne
Charles 2nd had been living in exile in France and Holland for eleven years when Cromwell died. He was invited by parliament to return to the throne. Many people were by now disillusioned by the idea of a republic and the return of Charles 2nd was met with great celebration. The new king had a flamboyant lifestyle earning him the nickname the Merry Monarch. His reign was seen by most as a welcome contrast to the Puritan rule before him.

Cromwell has a presence even today in Ely, and you can find out more about him by visiting Oliver Cromwell's House.

Other places you may like to visit to find out more are:

• The Cromwell Museum, Huntingdon
• Hinchingbrooke House, Huntingdon
• Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge
• Spinney Abbey, Wicken
• Ramsey Abbey
• Stuntney, Ely

Access Statement For Oliver Cromwell's House

(also houses the Tourist Information Centre and Gift Shop)

Introduction

We aim to provide an excellent service to all visitors and continually strive to improve. Located in the reception area of Oliver Cromwell's House is Ely's Tourist Information Centre which provides comprehensive information on Ely and the surrounding area as well as regional and national leaflets and brochures.

Pre-Arrival

• Our E-mail address is tic@eastcambs.gov.uk
• Telephone number 01353 662062 Fax 01353 668518
• A Hearing Loop is available in the Tourist Information Centre
• Radar toilet facilities are available at Barton Road Car Park, Cloisters, Market Place, Ely, Newnham Street, Ely, Sacrist Gate, Ely, Ship Lane Car Park, Ely. Radar keys can be purchased from the Tourist Information Centre.
• The nearest Shop Mobility scheme is at the Ely Museum, The Old Gaol, Ely, CB7 4LS Tel: 01353 666655. The scheme operates Thurs - Fri - Sat 10.30 - 1.00pm and 2.00pm - 4.00pm
• Taxis are available from Market Street, Ely or Ely Train Station

Arrival & Car Parking Facilities

• We do not have parking facilities at Oliver Cromwell's House
• We have a disabled bay which is 10 metres from Oliver Cromwell's House
• The nearest free short stay public car park is 250 metres away at St Mary's Street, Ely.
• The nearest long stay public car park is 500 meters away at Barton's Road. The routes from the car parks are along pavements which aresmooth, flat and level.

Main Entrance & Reception

• The entrance to Oliver Cromwell's House is at ground level and has easy wheelchair access.
• A Hearing Loop is on the reception counter.

Public Areas & Attraction

• A Hearing Loop on the counter in the Tourist Information Centre (attraction reception)
• Wheelchair Access to Parlour (1st room attraction, introduction video)
• Wheelchair Access to medieval kitchen (portable ramp)
• Interactive kiosk available from 1st July 2009 on ground floor level
• No Chair Lift available due to nature of building.
• Hand rails installed to help with any steps/stairs within the building
• Written audio commentary available on request
• Large print copy of the Oliver Cromwell's House guide available
• Seating in all rooms of the attraction

Public Areas - WC

• Nearest public wheelchair accessible toilet within 300 meters of Oliver Cromwell's House

Restaurant/Dining Room, Bar & Lounges, Take Away & Cafe

• Not available, but facilities a short walk away.

Gift Shop

• Wheelchair access to the shop, which is in the Tourist Information Centre.
• The Hearing Loop is on the counter in the gift shop.

Additional Information

• Services dogs are welcome.
• We operate a no smoking policy.
• There is no background music or tannoy apart from then introductory video

Contact Information

• Address: 29 St Mary's Street, Ely, CB7 4HF
• Telephone: 01353 662062
• Fax: 01353 668518
• Email: tic@eastcambs.gov.uk
• Hours of operation: 1 April - 31 October 10.00 - 5.30 daily including Saturday, Sunday and Bank holiday
• 1 November - 31 March 11.00 - 4.00 Monday - Friday and Sundays.
• 10.00 - 5 p.m. Saturdays. Closed 25th & 26th December and 1st January. Open Easter
• Telephone numbers for wheelchair accessible taxis: Fencabs 01353 669966, A10 Taxis 01353 661010, Alan's Taxis 01353 667518

We welcome your feedback to help us continuously improve if you have any comments please phone 01353 662062 or email tic@eastcambs.gov.uk

Food & Cooking

Traditional Local Fare

The kitchen table in Oliver Cromwell's house in Ely shows an array of traditional local fare from Cromwell's time. The fireplace dominates the room now, as it would have in Mrs Cromwell's life. There are tied cloth bags of beans on the table, which would have been placed in the cook pot with the boiling meat over the fire. During meals, men would help themselves to the great cuts of cured and cooked meat, and game, by slicing off meat with their own pocket knives.

Lots of local produce would have been on the table at meal times, and fish, oysters and fowl were also plentiful because they were found locally. The raised pies seen in Cromwell's House probably contained eels caught in the River Great Ouse or the surrounding fens.

Fruit, vegetables and nuts were seasonal, and so had to be 'laid down', or stored, to save for leaner times.

In Cromwell's time, carrots were white or purple, and only became orange in colour when growers developed then in honour of The House of Orange in Holland. Even then, it took time for them to become popular in England.

In the seventeenth century, milk was usually unfit to drink, and so it was made into cheese. Wine, beer and mead were the most common drinks in Cromwell's time, because water drawn from the well was often unsafe to drink. Bread would have been baked in the special oven housed in fireplaces, and was taken out using a long shovel. You can see these items in Cromwell's kitchen in Ely. The other brick opening in Cromwell's fireplace was probably used to house salt, which was very important for curing meat to prolong the amount of time it could be kept for.

Some of the herbs around the kitchen would have been used for cooking, but often they were strewn about on the bare earth floor so that their scent could be released when trodden on.

As a puritan, Oliver Cromwell was probably fonder of simple plain cooking; local fish and meats would have been been popular. Meal times have changed considerably over the years, and Cromwell would have dined at 11 o'clock in the morning. It is thought his favourite meal was roast veal with oranges.

The seventeenth century was a time of great change as people travelled more and became more adventurous. By the middle of the 17th century, towards the end of Cromwell's life, new ingredients were making their way back from Europe, and from the British colonies in the Americas. New foods were beginning to appear on the most fashionable of tables; sugar from Barbados and spices from Jamaica. Potatoes had already begun to arrive but were not yet widely used. In particular, it was the arrival of tea from China, coffee from Arabia and chocolate from the West Indies that were the most revolutionary changes. The first coffee house opened in London in 1652 and the first chocolate shop in 1657.

Elizabeth Cromwell was a good cook, and her book 'The Court and Kitchen of Elizabeth Cromwell' was published in 1654. It now provides a unique insight into her kitchen. Although from a cosmopolitan London background, Mrs Cromwell's cook book contains traditional local recipes such as Eel Pie as well as more modern recipes involving new spices, and methods of baking coming into fashion. Here are a few recipes that show you what sort of food Oliver Cromwell would have eaten:

Eel Pie with Oysters

Take the eels, wash and gut them. Dry them well in a cloth. To four good eels allow one pint of oysters, well washed. Season with salt, pepper, nutmeg and large mace. Put half a pound of butter into the piecrust, also half a lemon sliced, so bake it. Take the yolks of two eggs, anchovies dissolved in white wine, with a quarter pound of fresh butter, melt it, mix together and drain into the pie.

A Grand Salad

Take a quarter of a pound of raisins of the sun, and a quarter of blanched almonds, a quarter pound of capers, a quarter pound of olives, the like quantity of samphire, a quarter pound of pickled cucumbers, a lemon shred, some pickled french beans. Lay all their quarters around the dish with the minced flesh of a roasted hen with sturgeon and shrimps, and garnish the dish with cut beans and turnips.

Barley Broth

Take barley and put into fair water, give it three qualms over the fire, separate the waters and put it into a colander. Boil it in a fourth water with a blade of mace and a clove, and when it is boiled away put in some raisins and currants. When the fruit is boiled enough, take it off and season it with rose-water, butter and sugar with a couple of egg yokes beaten with it.

Caudle

Caudel is made of Ale, Oate-meal or Eggs, Mace, Sugar and sliced bread. It is a warm drink made of thin gruel mixed with wine or ale sweetened and spiced.

Please contact the Tourist Information Centre if you would like a copy of our free leaflet 'Cooking in the Seventeenth Century'.