Knights, baronets and peers of the Protectorate facts for kids

During the Protectorate period (1653–1659), England was not ruled by a king. Instead, it was led by a person called the Lord Protector. This leader had the power to give out special honors, much like a king would. These honors included knighthoods, baronetcies, and peerages.

Special Titles in the Protectorate

During the Protectorate, Oliver Cromwell and later his son Richard Cromwell held the top job. They had the authority to grant special titles to people. These titles were a way to recognize important individuals for their service or loyalty.

What Were These Titles?

• Knights: A knight was a person given a special honor by the leader. They were often important military figures or people who served the government well.
• Baronets: This was a hereditary title, meaning it could be passed down in a family. It was a step below a peerage but still very important.
• Peers: These were the highest titles, making someone a "lord." They could sit in a special part of Parliament, similar to the House of Lords today.

Knights: Brave and Loyal People

Many people were knighted during the Protectorate. These individuals were often leaders in the army, government, or important cities.

Knights Made by Oliver Cromwell

Oliver Cromwell knighted many people during his time as Lord Protector. Here are some of them:

• Henry Cromwell — his own son.
• 8 February 1654, Thomas Vyner — the Lord Mayor of London. He was knighted in London.
• 1653 or 1654, William Boteler.
• 1 June 1655, John Coppleston — the Sheriff of Devon. He was knighted at Whitehall.
• 11 June 1655, John Reynolds — a military leader in Ireland. He was knighted at Whitehall.
• 20 September 1655, Christopher Packe — another Lord Mayor of London. Knighted at Whitehall.
• 17 January 1656, Colonel Thomas Pride — a military officer. Knighted at Whitehall.
• 19 January 1656, John Barkstead — the lieutenant of the Tower of London. Knighted at Whitehall.
• 3 May 1656, Peter Julius Coyet — an ambassador from the King of Sweden. Knighted at Whitehall.
• August 1656, Richard Combe — from Hertfordshire. Knighted at Whitehall.
• 15 September 1656, John Dethick — Lord Mayor of London. Knighted at Whitehall.
• 15 September 1656, George Fleetwood — from Buckinghamshire. Knighted at Whitehall.
• 10 December 1656, William Lockhart — a colonel and ambassador to France. Knighted at Whitehall.
• 10 December 1656, James Calthorpe — the Sheriff of Suffolk. Knighted at Whitehall.
• 15 December 1656, Robert Titchborne — Lord Mayor of London. Knighted at Whitehall.
• 15 December 1656, Lislebone Long — the Recorder of London. Knighted at Whitehall.
• 6 January 1657, James Whitelocke — a colonel. Knighted at Whitehall.
• 3 March 1657, Thomas Dickenson — an alderman from York. Knighted at Whitehall.
• 11 June 1657, Richard Stayner — a commander of a ship called the Speaker.
• 16 July 1657, John Claypole, bart. — he married Oliver Cromwell's second daughter. Knighted at Whitehall.
• 26 August 1657, William Wheeler — from Westminster. Knighted at Hampton Court.
• 2 or 7 November 1657, Edward Ward — the Sheriff of Norfolk.
• 14 November 1657, Thomas Andrews — an Alderman and former Mayor of London. Knighted at Whitehall.
• 5 December 1657, Thomas Foote — an Alderman.
• 5 December 1657, Thomas Atkins — an Alderman and former Mayor of London.
• 5 December 1657, John Hewson.
• 6 January 1658, James Drax.
• 1 February 1658, Henry Pickering.
• 1 February 1658, Philip Twisleton — brother of a Protectorate baronet.
• 2 or 22 March 1658, John Ireton — knighted at Whitehall.
• 9 March 1658, John Lenthall.
• 22 March 1658, Richard Chiverton — Lord Mayor of London. Knighted at Whitehall.
• 17 July 1658, Henry Jones — for his bravery at the Battle of Dunkirk.

Knights Made by Richard Cromwell

Richard Cromwell became Lord Protector after his father, Oliver. He also granted knighthoods:

• 26 November 1658, Thomas Morgan — knighted after the Battle of the Dunes.
• 6 December 1658, Richard Beke.

Knights Made by Henry Cromwell in Ireland

Henry Cromwell, Oliver's son, was the Lord Deputy of Ireland. He also knighted people there:

• 24 November 1657, Matthew Thomlinson — knighted in Dublin.
• 2 May 1658, Robert Goodwin — knighted in Dublin.
• 7 June 1658, Maurice Fenton — knighted at Cork House.
• 7 June 1658, John King — knighted in Dublin.
• 21 July 1658, William Burry — knighted at Dublin Castle.
• 22 July 1658, John Perceval — knighted at Dublin Castle.
• 26 July 1658, Anthony Morgan — knighted at Dublin Castle.
• 26 July 1658, Thomas Herbert — knighted at Dublin Castle.
• 16 November 1658, Hierome Sanky — knighted at Dublin Castle.
• 16 November 1658, Daniel Abbot — knighted at Dublin Castle.
• 30 November 1658, Henry Piers — knighted at Dublin Castle.
• 20 December 1658, William Penn — knighted at Dublin Castle.
• 24 January 1659, Thomas Stanley — knighted at Dublin Castle.
• 23 February 1659, Oliver St George — knighted at Dublin Castle.

Baronets: A Special Kind of Title

Baronetcies were special titles that could be passed down through families. However, when the king returned to power in 1660, all the baronetcies given by Oliver Cromwell became invalid. Some people who had received them were later given new titles by King Charles II.

Here are some of the baronets created by Oliver Cromwell:

• 25 June 1657, John Read of Brocket Hall, Hertfordshire. He had a baronetcy before Cromwell, so he could still use his older title after the king returned.
• 20 July 1657, John Claypole of Northborough, father of Lord Claypole. His baronetcy was no longer valid after the Restoration.
• 6 October 1657, Thomas Chamberlayne. Like John Read, he had an older baronetcy that remained valid.
• 5 March 1658, Thomas Beaumont, of Leicestershire. His Cromwellian baronetcy ended, but King Charles II gave him a new one in 1661.
• 10 April 1658, Colonel Henry Ingoldsby. His title ended, but he received a new one from King Charles II in 1661.
• 10 April 1658, John Twisleton. His Cromwellian baronetcy ended.
• 10 April 1658, Henry Wright. He was the son of Cromwell's doctor. His title ended, but King Charles II gave him a new one in 1660.
• 28 May 1658, Griffith Williams, of Carnarvonshire. His title ended, but King Charles II gave him a new one in 1661.
• 13 August 1658, Attorney General Edmund Prideaux. His title was passed to his son briefly before it became invalid.
• 13 August 1658, Solicitor General William Ellis. His title ended, but King Charles II knighted him in 1671.
• 28 August 1658, William Wyndham, from Somerset. His title ended, but King Charles II knighted him and gave him a new baronetcy in 1661.

These Protectorate baronetcies were considered very special at the time.

Peers: Lords of Cromwell's Parliament

The peerages (titles like "lord") given by Cromwell also became invalid when the monarchy was restored. People who received these titles usually didn't use them after the king returned.

Cromwell created a special group called "Cromwell's Other House". This was similar to the modern House of Lords, where members were called "lord" for their lifetime. However, most people who already had noble titles from before Cromwell's rule did not join this "Other House."

Besides the members of the "Other House," a few other people were given peerages:

• Colonel Charles Howard — He was given the title "Viscount Howard of Morpeth and Baron Gilsland." He was a favorite of Cromwell. Later, King Charles II made him an Earl.
• Edmund Dunch — He was given the title "Baron Burnell" in 1658. He was related to Cromwell. After the king returned, he and his family did not use this title.
• Bulstrode Whitelocke — It is thought that Cromwell wanted to make him a viscount just before he died. However, there is no official record that this title was ever actually given.