Miles Sindercombe facts for kids

Miles Sindercombe (died 13 February 1657) led a group that tried to kill Oliver Cromwell. Cromwell was the leader of England, known as the Lord Protector, during a time called the Protectorate in 1657.

Early Life and Army Days

Sindercombe was born in Kent, England. He started training to become a surgeon. When the English Civil War began, he joined the side against the King, known as the Roundheads. He also became a Leveller, a group that wanted more fairness for ordinary people.

In 1649, Sindercombe was part of a mutiny, which is when soldiers rebel against their commanders. This happened in his army regiment. When the mutiny failed, he had to run away.

Years later, in 1655, Sindercombe showed up again. He was in a cavalry (horse soldiers) regiment in Scotland. There, he joined another secret plan to take control of the local army. This plan also failed, and Sindercombe escaped to the Netherlands.

Joining the Plotters

In 1656, Sindercombe went to Flanders (part of modern-day Belgium). There, he met another Leveller named Edward Sexby. Sexby also strongly disliked Oliver Cromwell.

Sindercombe joined Sexby's plan to kill Cromwell. They hoped this would bring back a Puritan republic, which was their idea of a fair government. Sexby gave Sindercombe money and weapons for the plot.

In 1656, Sindercombe returned to England. He gathered a small group of people to help him. This group included John Cecil, who was a former soldier, and William Boyes, who seemed to be a trickster. They also had John Toope, who was a member of Cromwell's own guards. Toope gave the plotters important information about where Cromwell would be.

Failed Attempts to Kill Cromwell

The group tried several times to kill Oliver Cromwell.

First Plan: King Street

First, Sindercombe rented a house on King Street in Westminster. They planned to shoot Cromwell as he rode past in his carriage. However, they realized it would be very hard to escape after the attack. So, they gave up on this idea.

Second Plan: Westminster Abbey

Next, Sindercombe rented another house near Westminster Abbey. He used the fake name "John Fish." He planned to shoot Cromwell with a type of gun called an arquebus. This was meant to happen on September 17, 1656, as Cromwell left Westminster Abbey for Parliament. But a large crowd gathered outside. Boyes got scared and left, so the plan had to be stopped.

Third Plan: Hampton Court

Sindercombe's group then planned to shoot Cromwell as he traveled to Hampton Court. Cromwell usually went there every Friday. They wanted to shoot his carriage as it went through a narrow passage. However, Cromwell changed his mind that day and did not go. The plotters waited for nothing.

Fourth Plan: Hyde Park

Their next idea was to shoot Cromwell while he was walking in Hyde Park. To make their escape easier, they broke the hinges of the park gates. John Cecil began to follow Cromwell and his guards. But Cromwell became interested in Cecil's horse and called him over. Cecil lost his courage and could not shoot him. He later said his horse was sick and he couldn't have gotten away.

Discovery and Capture

After so many failed attempts, Cromwell's spymaster, John Thurloe, started to notice the would-be attackers. He had already heard about the plot from his spies in other countries.

Sindercombe's next idea was to burn down Whitehall Palace with Cromwell inside. Boyes made a bomb using gunpowder, tar, and pitch. The group placed this bomb in the palace chapel on January 8, 1657. However, Toope, who had changed his mind about the plot, told the authorities. After the plotters left, guards found the bomb and safely removed it.

Thurloe ordered the arrest of the plotters. Cecil was caught easily, but Boyes managed to escape. Sindercombe fought the guards until one guard cut part of his nose. Both Cecil and Sindercombe were sent to the Tower.

Cecil decided to tell everything he knew. With Toope's help, Thurloe learned about Sexby's part in the plot. He then presented all his findings to the Parliament.

Trial and Death

Sindercombe refused to cooperate or talk. On February 9, 1657, he was found guilty of High treason. This is a very serious crime against the government. Both Cecil and Toope testified against him. Sindercombe was sentenced to a very harsh punishment.

The night before he was to be executed, Sindercombe's sister brought him something. He drank it and was found dead in his cell in the Tower of London on February 13, 1657. He likely drank it to avoid the painful and public execution. His body was then dragged to the gallows (where executions happened) and buried underneath it by the hangman.

See also

• Killing No Murder, a pamphlet published in 1657