What Happens to Oliver Cromwell: A Macabre Journey Beyond the Grave

What Happens to Oliver Cromwell: A Macabre Journey Beyond the Grave

The name Oliver Cromwell evokes a myriad of reactions, doesn’t it? From staunch admiration for his military genius and leadership during the English Civil War to utter condemnation for his role in the regicide of King Charles I and the establishment of the Commonwealth, Cromwell remains one of history’s most polarizing figures. But what truly happens to Cromwell, not just in terms of his historical legacy, but physically, after his death? It’s a story far more dramatic and macabre than one might initially imagine, a chilling testament to the enduring power of political vengeance and the symbolic importance of a body, even a deceased one. Indeed, his fate after his passing is a unique and rather gruesome chapter in British history, illustrating just how deeply the divisions of the mid-17th century ran.

The Lord Protector’s Final Breath: The Beginning of the End

Oliver Cromwell, the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, was at the zenith of his power when his health began to fail him. By the summer of 1658, the strain of governance, the constant threats, and perhaps the sheer weight of his responsibilities had taken their toll. He had long suffered from various ailments, including malaria (often referred to as ‘ague’ at the time) and kidney stones. As the summer waned, his condition deteriorated rapidly. Despite the fervent prayers of his Puritan followers and the best efforts of physicians, his demise became inevitable.

Cromwell finally succumbed on September 3, 1658, a date he himself had famously regarded as fortunate, having marked his victories at Dunbar and Worcester. The official cause of death was often cited as a malarial fever, though some historians suggest complications from his kidney issues or even a form of poisoning, though the latter lacks substantial evidence. His death plunged England into a period of uncertainty. He was succeeded, somewhat ineptly, by his eldest son, Richard Cromwell, a man ill-suited to the monumental task of maintaining the Protectorate his father had forged.

Initially, Cromwell was given a magnificent state funeral, a spectacle designed to underscore the legitimacy and power of the Protectorate. His body lay in state at Somerset House for several weeks, where thousands paid their respects, or perhaps merely curiosity. The embalmed body was then interred in a lavish ceremony at Westminster Abbey, the traditional burial place of English monarchs and national heroes. This was a grand statement, placing him, symbolically at least, among the kings he had overthrown. No one could have predicted the profound indignities his remains would suffer less than three years later.

The Restoration’s Fury: A Vengeful Decree

The Protectorate, under Richard Cromwell, proved unstable. Without Oliver’s formidable personality and political acumen, the republican experiment quickly unravelled. By May 1660, Charles II, son of the executed King Charles I, had returned to England from his exile, ushering in the period known as the Restoration. His arrival was met with widespread jubilation, signaling the end of the strict Puritan rule and the return of monarchy.

However, the new regime was also one of retribution. The Royalists, who had suffered immensely during the Civil War and the interregnum, sought to punish those responsible for their king’s execution and their own exile. While the Indemnity and Oblivion Act was passed to pardon most Civil War combatants, a select group of “regicides” – those who had signed Charles I’s death warrant – were explicitly excluded from this clemency. Many were arrested, tried, and brutally executed, often by hanging, drawing, and quartering.

But what happens to Cromwell, the ultimate architect of the revolution, the man who had ordered the execution of their king? He was beyond earthly justice, having died peacefully in his bed. Yet, the thirst for vengeance was so profound that it extended even beyond the grave. To the Royalists, Cromwell was the embodiment of rebellion and sacrilege, and his continued presence in Westminster Abbey, alongside legitimate monarchs, was an intolerable affront. They needed to make a powerful, symbolic statement that rebellion would not only fail but would also be utterly disgraced, even in death.

The Post-Mortem Spectacle: Disinterment and Degradation at Tyburn

The decision was made: Oliver Cromwell, along with John Bradshaw (the judge who presided over Charles I’s trial) and Henry Ireton (Cromwell’s son-in-law and a prominent general), would be exhumed and subjected to a posthumous execution. This macabre act was meticulously planned to coincide with a highly significant date, ensuring maximum symbolic impact.

1. Exhumation from Sacred Ground: On the morning of January 30, 1661, the 12th anniversary of King Charles I’s execution, a grim procession began. A warrant was issued, and Cromwell’s embalmed body, along with those of Bradshaw and Ireton, were dug up from their tombs in Westminster Abbey. This act itself was deeply shocking, a violation of hallowed ground and the common reverence for the dead. The bodies were reportedly in remarkably good condition due to the embalming process, adding a grotesque realism to the proceedings.
2. The Journey to Tyburn: The disinterred remains were then placed in baskets or coffins and transported on carts through the streets of London. This wasn’t a private, discreet affair; it was a public spectacle, intended to humiliate and condemn. The route likely took them through crowded areas, allowing the populace to witness the humiliation of the former Lord Protector. Their destination was Tyburn, the notorious public execution site in West London, where common criminals met their end.
3. The Public Display of Contempt: Upon arrival at Tyburn, the bodies were hoisted onto the gallows. They were hung in chains, in full public view, from morning until sunset. This was a deliberate act of defilement and dishonour. To be “hung in chains” was a punishment reserved for the most heinous criminals, ensuring their bodies remained exposed as a warning to others. The crowds that gathered would have been a mix of exultant Royalists, grim Puritans, and simply the morbidly curious, all witnessing the ultimate degradation of a man who once held absolute power.
4. Decapitation and Desecration: As the day drew to a close, before the crowds dispersed, the bodies were cut down. The ultimate act of humiliation followed: they were decapitated. Cromwell’s head was severed from his body, and reportedly, the bodies of all three men were then thrown into a common pit at the foot of the gallows, denying them a dignified burial. This final indignity ensured that not only was their memory sullied, but their physical remains were also scattered and desecrated.

The severed heads, however, were not consigned to the pit. They were prepared for public display, a continuation of the gruesome spectacle. Cromwell’s head, in particular, was treated to ensure its preservation for this purpose. It was impaled on a spike and then placed atop a 20-foot pole, intended to stand as a grim warning for all to see.

The Gruesome Odyssey of Cromwell’s Head: Centuries of Controversy

While Cromwell’s body was unceremoniously dumped, his head embarked on an extraordinary and bizarre journey, becoming perhaps the most famous, and certainly the most debated, relic in British history. Its odyssey spans centuries, involving private collectors, scientific analyses, and endless speculation, all revolving around the question: what happens to Cromwell’s head after its public display?

The Head’s Uncharted Travels: From Royal Pillar to Private Curio

• Initial Display at Westminster Hall: After its decapitation, Cromwell’s head, still impaled on its spike, was mounted high above Westminster Hall, the very place where Charles I had been condemned and where Cromwell himself had presided over Parliament. It stood there, exposed to the elements, for over two decades, a stark and chilling symbol of royal vengeance and a warning against rebellion. Imagine the thousands who passed beneath it daily, the whispers and the grim fascination it must have evoked.
• The Mysterious Disappearance: Around 1684-1685, during a particularly violent storm, the pole snapped, and Cromwell’s head fell to the ground. What happened next is somewhat shrouded in mystery, but it appears to have been quickly picked up, possibly by a sentry or a passing individual, and thus began its journey into private hands. This was a crucial turning point, as the head transitioned from a public warning to a hidden curiosity.
• Through the Hands of Collectors: The head reportedly passed through various private collections over the next century and a half. One notable possessor was a man named John Wilkinson, who apparently acquired it around 1710. It then came into the possession of the Polhill family, descendants of Cromwell’s daughter Bridget. Later, in the 18th century, it was owned by Samuel Russell, a Covent Garden comedian, who used it for private viewing, sometimes charging a fee. His family eventually sold it in 1787 to James Cox, a museum proprietor. It moved between several other owners, often accompanied by documents claiming its authenticity, though these claims were always met with skepticism.
• Public Exhibitions and Scientific Scrutiny: In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the head occasionally resurfaced for public exhibition, sparking intense debate. It was examined by numerous individuals, some genuinely interested in its historical verification, others more concerned with sensationalism. These examinations slowly began to build a compelling, albeit controversial, case for its authenticity.

Authenticity Debates and Forensic Insights: Proving the Unprovable

The question of whether the skull purportedly belonging to Oliver Cromwell was indeed his became one of the great historical conundrums. For centuries, skepticism abounded, with many dismissing it as a morbid hoax. However, a significant turning point came in the mid-20th century with more rigorous scientific analysis.

One of the most comprehensive examinations was undertaken by the anthropologist Karl Pearson in 1911, and later, and most crucially, by the forensic scientist Dr. James Bellerby in 1935. Their findings, combined with historical accounts, built a powerful argument for the head’s authenticity. The evidence included:

• Damage Consistent with Execution: The skull showed clear signs of having been pierced by a spike from below, exiting through the top, consistent with the method described for its display at Westminster Hall.
• Embalming Techniques: Residues found on the skull suggested embalming methods consistent with 17th-century practices, including the use of pitch and cerecloth.
• Physical Characteristics Matching Portraits: Forensic analysis attempted to match the facial structure suggested by the skull with contemporary portraits of Cromwell, noting similar features such as a prominent nose and strong jawline.
• Historical Provenance: While fragmented, the chain of ownership, particularly from the Polhill family, provided some credible links back to Cromwell’s descendants, lending weight to its authenticity.
• Absence of the Jawbone: The lower jawbone was notably missing, a detail consistent with historical accounts suggesting it was separated during the initial degradation or fell away during its long exposure.

Despite these findings, complete certainty remained elusive, as DNA testing wasn’t available, and definitive proof was impossible. Yet, the weight of evidence convinced many historians and scientists that this was indeed the head of Oliver Cromwell. It was a remarkable piece of forensic history, revealing details about what happens to Cromwell’s physical remains after such extreme public degradation.

“This was no mere relic; it was a potent symbol, embodying the enduring divides of England’s revolutionary past. Its very existence, and the debates surrounding it, kept Cromwell’s controversial legacy alive in a uniquely tangible way.”

A Final, Quiet Resting Place: From Public Shame to Private Reverence

After centuries of public display, private ownership, and scholarly debate, the fate of Cromwell’s head took a turn towards quiet dignity. In 1960, Horace Wilkinson, the last private owner, decided it was time for the head to be finally and respectfully laid to rest. He donated it to Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, the very college Cromwell had attended as a student.

The choice of Sidney Sussex College was deeply symbolic. It provided a historical connection, allowing the remains to return to a place associated with the man himself, rather than a place of national or public significance where further controversy might arise. The re-interment was conducted with the utmost discretion and solemnity. On March 25, 1960, the head was buried in a secret, unmarked location within the college grounds, near the antechapel, in a lead casket. The ceremony was attended by a small number of college fellows and historians, ensuring that the final resting place of Oliver Cromwell’s head would be one of peace, away from the public gaze and the controversies that had followed it for over 300 years.

This final act brought a remarkable and often disturbing chapter to a quiet close. What happens to Cromwell’s head now, is that it lies undisturbed, a private memorial, a stark contrast to its tumultuous journey.

The Enduring Legacy: More Than Just Bones and a Skull

The story of what happens to Cromwell after his death is more than just a macabre footnote in history; it is a profound illustration of political power, vengeance, and the symbolic weight attached to human remains. The posthumous execution and the subsequent odyssey of his head served multiple purposes for the Royalist regime:

• A Warning to Future Rebels: The public degradation of Cromwell’s body was a stark and terrifying message to anyone contemplating rebellion against the restored monarchy. It demonstrated that even death would not spare the king’s enemies from ultimate dishonour.
• Symbolic Victory for the Monarchy: It was a triumphant moment for Charles II and the Royalists, a visible reclamation of power and dignity after years of humiliation. The desecration of Cromwell’s remains symbolically avenged the execution of Charles I.
• Reinforcement of Divine Right: By desecrating the body of the man who had challenged the divine right of kings, the monarchy sought to re-establish its sacrosanct nature, implying that those who defied God’s chosen ruler would face both temporal and eternal damnation.

Even today, Oliver Cromwell remains a deeply divisive figure. For some, he is a champion of liberty and parliamentary democracy, a strong leader who shaped modern Britain. For others, he is a tyrannical dictator, a regicide, and a religious zealot responsible for immense bloodshed. The story of what happens to Cromwell after death, particularly the journey of his severed head, is a vivid reminder of the raw emotions and profound ideological clashes that defined 17th-century England. It underscores that for those who reshape nations and challenge established orders, their legacy, and even their physical remains, can become battlegrounds long after they draw their last breath.

The narrative of Cromwell’s post-mortem journey is a unique lens through which to view not only the politics of the English Restoration but also the broader human fascination with power, punishment, and the enduring quest for historical truth. It ensures that the question, “What happens to Cromwell?” will always carry a grim and fascinating answer.

Conclusion: From the dignified burial in Westminster Abbey to the public humiliation at Tyburn, and the subsequent centuries-long, bizarre odyssey of his severed head, Oliver Cromwell’s post-mortem fate is arguably as dramatic and impactful as his life. His disinterment, execution in effigy, and the subsequent journey of his head served as a chilling political statement by the restored monarchy, a stark warning against treason and rebellion. Today, with his head finally at rest in Sidney Sussex College, the physical remains of Cromwell have found a quiet resolution, but the debates surrounding his controversial legacy continue to echo through the corridors of history, ensuring that the memory of the Lord Protector, and the strange fate of his body, will never truly be forgotten.