Just a few hundred yards from Ely Cathedral, I found Oliver Cromwell's house, now doing good service as the tourist information centre as well as a museum.
Oliver Cromwell, as you probably know, was an English MP, Puritan and military leader who commanded the Parliamentarian army in the Civil War (1642-1651), later becoming Lord Protector of England after Charles I was beheaded. A zealous Protestant, he was enraged by how the king, Charles I, was making changes to the church and when the king also started ignoring Parliament, civil war broke out between those who supported the king and those who thought him a tyrant who should be deposed. You can read more HERE.
Cromwell's house was his family home for just over ten years, from 1636 when he was left the lease by an uncle. Here he lived with his wife Elizabeth and their nine children. You can tour the house, which is quite cosy and charming inside. Those who lived here also had responsibility for collecting tithes (taxes) and there is a tithe office in the building.
There are pictures and a bronze bust of Cromwell himself (quite a handsome man!) and information about the Civil War.
The kitchen, in the oldest part of the house dating back to 1215, is a small and cosy space with an open fire and bread ovens, and had a display of the relatively plain and wholesome food that Puritans ate.
In one of the upper rooms, there was a life-size and life-like animatronic display - quite unnerving when the lady moved her head as I walked in! It had examples of the kind of modest clothing that Puritans wore, a far cry from the lavish costumes worn by the Cavaliers, supporters of the king. They did have some comforts. The wooden box with holes in is a foot-warmer. A bowl of boiling water would be placed inside and the device tucked under the lady's dress to provide hot steam to warm her feet and legs! Damp legs were perhaps preferable to the cold?
It was all very interesting - and as a sideline the House does 'Escape Room' experiences too, where you are locked in for 60 minutes and have to solve a mystery! Great for families or work groups.
I'm ashamed to say I've never been inside, despite walking past on innumerable occasions. So thanks for showing me what I've been missing.
ReplyDeleteI had to say to myself "Well of course he had to have a house, he lived somewhere, didn't he!" That's how surprised I was to learn of his life. I've missed knowing a thing about him as a man.
ReplyDeleteIt is a fabulous looking building
ReplyDeleteYou wonder what Cromwell would think of an escape room.
ReplyDeleteFascinating look at history. The actor Alun Armstrong bears a strong resemblance to Cronwell.
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