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Great stuff, Mondo. Especially find of the map you slotted into the first half. Very crisply done.

I see a good body of troops in the Pale in the picture. Are they ready to commit various atrocities once the war is over? :p That said, the promise of a Second Civil War (and presumably later a third,) might set back such "ambitions"?

Looking forward to the next update.

Thanks. Making maps is my speciality, so I'm glad it turned out well! There is a good army sitting happily in the Pale waiting for action, so dealing with the Irish Confederation will probably be the least stressful part of the Civil Wars. Religious tensions (We're reformed, the nation is mainly protestant and catholic) will bring some trouble, and of course the Scots and King Charles are still lurking across a well defended border... so the future of the infant Commonwealth is still pretty uncertain!

Excellentio! or something like that :)

You've certainly built up a good base for your story, it shallt be intriguing to see how this turns out.

I hope so!

Fine job. May I ask, why can you see the territory of both Ireland and Scotland despite not having any alliances and actually being at war with Ireland?

Because I used the Fog of War cheat, for the sake of the screenshot! I cross my fingers and promise that was the extent of all cheating though, and I re-enabled the Fog of War before playing so much as a second of the actual game.
 
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The ruthless King Charles fled to Scotland, hoping to find solace in the arms of his few Royalist allies left huddled in the cold and dreary castles of his homeland. Sir Fairfax, general of the Parliamentary army, and his second in command, Oliver Cromwell, were wintering in the sleepy Welsh village of Abergavenny. The soldiers were encamped in the Skirrid hills, known to locals as the Llanwenarth Breast, enjoying some respite from the bitterness that came with fighting during a cold winter. When word finally reached the camp, the soldiers elation was riotous, but still subdued by the elation felt by the common-folk of Abergavenny, who were entirely spent feeding the Parliamentary army that had camped the winter near their homes. Cromwell was summoned to London immediately.

He left his most trusted captain, Robert Blake, in command of the fearsome "Ironsides" Cavalry, and departed for London with tremendous haste. It was essential he was present to advise his fellow Members of Parliament on how to proceed with negotiations with the King, before they too eagerly welcomed him back to his warm palaces with open arms.

The Long Parliament had officially been in session since before the Civil War began, and Parliament was so close to achieving their God given goals of a holy, Puritan government. Cromwell was unwilling to see his inspired visions fail now.

London was cold and bleak when he arrived, but the House of Commons was lit aflame with the passions of Roundheads, Cavaliers, Presbyterians and Republicans. All sides were clashed in a fevered battle, debating the fate of Kings and Lords.


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Four hundred and eighty-eight seats held elected members of the commons, and the Puritans, Presbyterians, and Republicans controlled two hundred and seventy-seven of them. It was a defiant majority, but even that wouldn't be enough. In the House of Lords, Cromwell had allies in the Godly Group; Lords of Puritan faith, and little love for the King. They controlled the "Upper" house, and without Royal ascent, could not be dislodged easily. Cromwell was keen to use this to his advantage, but equally keen to see the time honoured traditions reformed. For now, he would have to be content with playing the game of politics.

Cromwell and his Puritans, known by the nickname the "War Party", demanded crippling legislation, forcing Puritan ideals into the Anglican Church, and forcing the King to give up tremendous power. Their Presbyterian allies, nicknamed the "Peace Party", struggled to temper the Puritan zeal, by suggesting modest religious reform, and moderate political reform, hoping to appeal to the Kings desire for peace and stability. Royalists knew their voice in Parliament held little sway, but the dogs of King Charles had a mighty bark nonetheless. Welsh Catholics, in particular, spoke out harshly against any momentum Cromwell would gain in his political machinations.

Regardless, Cromwell and his allies were able to force through the re-affirmations of several critical reforms. First and foremost, Cromwell demanded the The infamous "Petition of Rights" was once again submitted, ratified, and enforced by both Houses.


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Following that, Cromwell's own legislation, the "Self-Denying Ordinance", was once again put into place and guaranteed. And once again, the gathered MP's voted, with 277 votes to 211 against, to exclude Oliver Cromwell from compliance with the Ordinance. This law was the cornerstone policy of Cromwell's "New Model Army". He was keen to see the nobility removed from fighting in the military in favour of common men of Puritan values. It had been accepted a year earlier, and once again was upheld through voting in the House of Lords and accepted as law.


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The Royalists shouted and sneered when once again Cromwell was granted exemption. To the Puritans, Cromwell was a man gifted by God, and for the majority of Parliament, they needed him to be a man of three houses; the Commons, the Lords, and the Military. But King Charles supporters, in all houses, hated Cromwell. None moreso than Lord Edward Hyde.

Lord Hyde was a legal genius, and a political stalwart. He was opposed to the King throughout the early days of the Long Parliament. The Queen Henrietta hated him, which distanced him from the monarchy. When the Civil War erupted, however, he chose to side with the Royalists. Not as a soldier, but as a councilor. He believed in the Monarchy, and he believed in the law, and chose to fight for that regardless of who held authority. He saw Cromwell and the Puritans as little more than rebels and miscreants. His reputation allowed him to stay in the House of Commons throughout the war, and his reputation was unblemished among both sides of the conflict.

It came as quite a surprise when Cromwell elected him, along with his close allies in Captain Francis Beresford and Father John Cumberland to stand as his chief advisors among a cabinet of powerful MP's collected together to ensure a functioning government during the lingering crisis.


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Councils were established, and the process of drafting legislation and terms would begin. This is where Cromwell saw use in Lord Hyde. Hyde may oppose Cromwell at every step, but he would not oppose the law. And now, the Law was Cromwell's for the writing. Under the guidance of both his trusted advisor Cumberland and the judicial talents of Lord Hyde, political and religious reforms were drafted.


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Commons would draft, and in the absence of a King, the Lords would unquestioningly ascent. Cromwell and the Puritan MP's created a series of legal writs and demands with the intent purpose of granting Parliament power of state, and power over religion. Cromwells religious reform was designed with the intent purpose of rooting out and destroying what he saw as Catholic inspired practices. Pomp and ceremony in place of real faith and Christian value. To ensure their acceptance and efficiency, he created the "Test Act", a law that would give Parliament and Parliament alone the power to choose those fit for religious offices within the Anglican Church, and assure only those in line with the policy of the Church to retain political and military command.

Cromwell knew time was short and his chance to retain control of Parliament fleeting, and these stringent and brutal series of laws necessary to ensure his continued ability to mold the Three Kingdoms to God's divine will. Puritanism would reshape the religious landscape of the land from the inside out.

In addition to the list of reforms put forth to attain peace with King Charles, Parliament would additionally demand a full investigation into the Kings actions before and during the Civil War, including a thorough account of all action taken during the eleven years of King Charles personal rule. The King would recognize Parliament as the absolute authority of state, accept religious reform, and submit to the investigation, accepting whatever penalty deemed appropriate, or peace would not be found.

The House of Commons, Particularly the Royalists, were outraged by Cromwell's councils demands. Even many Puritans doubted the King would ever accept, preferring war in place of allowing his status to proverbially hang. It's likely that is exactly what Cromwell expected. Cromwell knew in his heart that the Kings peace was little more than a ruse; a temporary cease-fire while he gathered supporters, re supplied, and found new allies from France, Spain, and the Netherlands. Queen Henrietta was in Holland negotiating trade and shipping rights between the Dutch and Scottish merchants, clearly with the intention of rebuilding a Royalist force. The tyrant King, a known supporter of the Catholics in Ireland and Wales, could not be trusted. Cromwell expressed such thoughts to Parliament, and expressed his desire to see the terms sent regardless, urging Parliament to use the time granted in the same way. Now was the time to prepare, and ensure all that they fought for was not lost due to complacency and a lack of faith. Peace was fleeting, at best.


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For now, however, the Three Kingdoms were stable, but divided. Politically, Ireland was still in open rebellion and Scotland split between the Covenanters, loyal to Parliament, and Royalist supporters who protect the King. Religiously, Catholics inhabited the western marches of Wales, and the Puritan reformation had not spread throughout the bulk of England. This would have to change, and Cromwell was intent on seeing it change.

Thankfully, economy and trade were of little immediate concern. Parliamentary forces had re-established taxation protocols since King Charles surrender. Though the hated Ships Tax was abolished, other standardized forms of tax were put back in place.

Trade was the cornerstone of the English economy, and as word of peace spread to neighbouring nations, Merchant ships once again flooded the docks and harbours of London. Charles was a brutal mercantilist, preferring first and foremost a protected State-Run economy. Cromwell, and many Puritans, came from the lower gentry and merchant classes, and preferred a more open policy of Free-Trade. This shift brought a dramatic increase of traders into London, and was well received by merchants across the Three Kingdoms. The recent renewal and expansion of a the chartered trade company to the East Indies, known as the "Honourable East India Company", was still in infancy, but already garnering the attention of English merchants since their violent expulsion from the Spice Islands by the Dutch several years before the Civil War began.


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Other MP's would focus on foreign affairs and trade treaties. Cromwell would instead focus on more pressing matters. First and foremost in his mind was the state of religion in England. Cromwell had long believed the reformation stopped short of its true potential, and failed to meet its God given goal. His early reforms were a step in the right direction, but more needed to be done to save England and her people from the hellfire they were destined for if they failed to heed God's warning and God's will.

Cromwell first instituted God's will into the New Model Army, banning gambling and drinking. Looting, pillage, and other "traditional" spoils of war were forbidden outright, and dealt with harshly. Righteousness and noble Christian behaviour would be required and demanded first and foremost from the common soldier up to the generals. These policies, instituted with his first command of the renowned and feared "Ironsides" cavalry, would encompass the entirety of the New Model Army. But still, more needed to be done.

In London, Puritan teachers were sent to bring God's truth to the local populace. Samuel Drake, a leading Puritan philosopher and close friend of Oliver Cromwell, would begin proselytizing throughout the city of London, with the support of John Cumberland. Even with many connections from within the London merchants community, It would take several years for the sermons to take hold.


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To the west, the great threat of the Catholics still remained. Cromwell despised the Catholics entirely, and knew it was essential that the scourge be purged from the Kingdom so completely, its stain could never spread into the Three Kingdoms again. The Catholics were rooted deep into the western countryside throughout Wales, but worse were the Irish. Still standing opposed to the English Parliament and in open rebellion, These "Confederates" in Ireland march freely, with the Kings support and protection no less, declaring themselves independent. Cromwell knew there could be no peace until these Catholic miscreants brought back into English control, and submit to Gods will; by force if necessary. The new Irish state was the last bastion of the Catholic faith in the Three Kingdoms, and one of the last Royalist strongholds not yet controlled by Parliament directly. This threat needed to be removed to show the King and the Catholic world that England was the home of righteousness and truth in the world, and no King could dictate to the will of God, and the will of the People.

To do this, Cromwell would use the divine instrument God had provided him when the Civil War was in her darkest days. The New Model Army. It was pointless negotiating with Catholics. They would either submit and answer for their crimes, or be destroyed, along with any supporters of King Charles. But before Cromwell could depart for Ireland to end the Confederate rebellion, he needed knowledge into the situation. He had not fought in Ireland personally, and neither had many of his closest advisors and generals. King Charles was careful to avoid sending Puritan generals and Parliamentarian sympathizers into Ireland to deal with the rebellion in its early days. Cromwell would need to seek the wisdom of an enemy. He wouldn't have to look far.

Captured two years earlier and languishing in the Tower of London sat one of the most decorated of King Charles generals; George Monck. He had fought during both the Irish Rebellion and the Bishops' Wars, and was a skilled tactician. He was often at odds with the King, and in him Cromwell saw a potential ally, and a potential commander.

Cromwell met with Monck on countless occasions over the course of several weeks, learning from him all that he could of Ireland and the Irish rebels. In return, George Monck was released from the tower. Cromwell had impressed Monck equally as he was impressed by Monck. Monck beseeched to Cromwell that his service in war was neither for King Charles or for Parliament, but instead for England, and her good Christian people. He would offer his services as a general, and his convictions as a modest Puritan Christian. Cromwell couldn't turn down recruiting one of the most famed of Royalist generals, and with great eagerness Monck was granted command of the Northern Army of Scotland, after he pledged his sword to Parliament.


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Cromwell would leave his post in the New Model Army and take command of the Army of Ireland, with Parliaments ascent. Before making his preparations to depart, he made one additional military request. His friend, a decorated officer that fought with him throughout the Civil War, was to be granted a new post. Robert Blake, a pious puritan man from the same means and status as Cromwell, had gone from a common soldier to a Colonel, and received honour and award for an unblemished military career. Parliament expected Blake to replace Cromwell in command of the New Model Army cavalry regiments. They were shocked when Cromwell instead requested Blake take the absent position of General at Sea of the Navy. Blake had no experience in command of a naval force, but nevertheless, they trusted Cromwells opinion and accepted the request.


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With a series of masterful strokes, Oliver Cromwell became the most powerful man in the Three Kingdoms. Cromwell had the full support of the entire New Model Army, who was built by him and stocked with his own men, and not Sir Fairfax who commanded it. He had control of the Parliament, who needed his political abilities, but more importantly needed strong his ties within the House of Lords. And now, with the placement of Robert Blake, had the full support of the entire Royal Navy. Cromwell was more powerful than the man who held the crown. But to show that power, he had to rein in the errant sheep that had strayed from the flock. His first destination would be Ireland.


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The journey to Ireland would take until summer. Cromwell was eager to return to the field, and moreso to overthrow the Catholic bastions in southern Ireland. While he was making preparations for Dublin, the demands to the King were sent to Scotland. Cromwell knew it would be some months until word would return, and he had hoped ending the Irish Rebellion would be an adequate display of power to the King that parliament was not to be trifled with. In the absence of any real control, and with the King himself offering alliance to the Irish rebels, the situation was far worse than Cromwell had expected.

The Pale was still in Parliaments control, but only just, with realistically only a portion of Dublin a safe haven for Puritan, Parliamentary forces. Ulster was all but conquered by the Irish forces, who were facing no opposition from local garrisons. More and more able-bodied Catholic Irishmen were joining the Confederate ranks daily. Cromwell had numbers for now, but the Catholics controlled the countryside. The summer of 1646 would a dark time in the history of Ireland.


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One minor thing: when mentioning a "Sir", you'd refer to him via his first name – so it would be "Sir Thomas" as opposed to "Sir Fairfax".

That aside, another great update. Loving the in depth look at Cromwell gradually putting all the pieces together to ensure his total control. Even if I'm not a fan of the man in general, you've got to admire his political nous.
 
Quick question: What does that "white lion on black field" on the republic's coat of arms symbolises?

It's the Cromwell family arms.
 
So lovely

Thanks!

Wow, just wow, this AAR is very good. We just have to pray for the Irish now, don't want them all to die at the hands of Cromwell.

Thank you very much. The Irish had a pretty rough go under Cromwell, to be sure.

Oh my. I expect all sorts of unpleasantness for the poor Irishmen.

Yeah, unfortunately it's hard to write an AAR including Cromwell invading Ireland and avoid the ugliness of what happened there. Horrific, to be sure.

One minor thing: when mentioning a "Sir", you'd refer to him via his first name – so it would be "Sir Thomas" as opposed to "Sir Fairfax".

That aside, another great update. Loving the in depth look at Cromwell gradually putting all the pieces together to ensure his total control. Even if I'm not a fan of the man in general, you've got to admire his political nous.

Thank you very much. I wasn't aware of the proper usage of Sir, so that's good to know! Hopefully I actually remember the appropriate usage. I'm no fan of Cromwell either, myself. Quite the opposite, but yes, he was very good at his job, I suppose, and very devoted to his convictions. He was a pretty terrible guy, but he worked himself into power quite expertly, even if he felt it was all divine providence.

Quick question: What does that "white lion on black field" on the republic's coat of arms symbolises?
It's the Cromwell family arms.

Yeah, Cromwells standard is pretty ugly, though his family crest is perfectly fine. Should Cromwell's plans go forward successfully and the Protectorate established, we'll finally get a nice new flag to put in the banners that looks a little better!
 
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Cromwell left for Ireland late in the spring of 1646. In Cromwells absence from Parliament, the MP's were not idle. Several new reforms were established, including the standardization of weights and measures, Church Taxation policies, and most importantly, the creation of a new position within the Church of England; The Superintendent Act. The Superintendents would take the place of the Bishops of the Anglican Church, with only the Parliament allowed to select and place them. Following the act, numerous Superintendent positions were appointed by joint agreement with Parliament and the Godly Group. It was one step closer to a Puritan dominated Anglican Church.

Across the Atlantic Ocean, Parliament sent envoys to reconsolidate their control over the New England colonies. During the Civil War, many colonial charters suffered and fell into insolvency. With the Civil Wars end, Parliament put renewed focus into the massive potential of the East India Company, letting New England suffer further. Eventually, with English support and limited financing, the East India Company purchased colonial land in Virginia and throughout New England.

With future military strategy in mind, English Parliament accepted two new colonial ventures, with English colonists making their way deep into the Caribbean along the Mosquitos Coast, creating the Fort Bluefields, and claiming fishing villages on the Epekwitk Island, virtually within France's sphere of influence. France, occupied with the internal struggles of the Wars of Religion, a long war against the Netherlands, and a new colony called "Louisiana", named in honour of their King Louis, paid little attention to the establishments in the Gulf of St. Laurence, and were in no position to offer anything more than a formal protest.


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France was still Englands greatest threat and greatest enemy. With the instability in France, it seemed a gentle push could bring the nation to her knee's. Parliament put together legislation authorizing assistance to the Puritan Reformed population in France. France was still struggling with suppressing the Huguenot rebellion, and the English Puritans were eager to aid their brothers in faith against their great rival. Money and military supplies were shipped to France, with the intention of arming the Huguenots and giving them the upper hand in the decades long war of religion in France.


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It was early in summer when Cromwell made landfall in Ireland. News of his arrival sent shudders down the spines of Dubliners, and a shock through the local communities of the Pale. The Confederates had caught word earlier, and were already struggling to re-double their efforts and prepare for the inevitable conflict. They needed to take advantage of the time offered while Cromwell made preparations.


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If it was believed in the minds of the Irish Confederates that Cromwell was only dispatched to Ireland to end the Rebellion, that fantasy would quickly be eased from their minds.

Duke Butler met with Cromwell briefly upon his arrival. Butler was a Royalist commander, and officially the Head of State of Ireland, but was willing to surrender the city, and himself, in return for his guaranteed safety and safe return for him and his family to London. While Butler waved a farewell to Dublin from the deck of a hired merchant ship, setting sail for the England, Cromwell began taking control.

His first task would be consolidation and law. Strict rules were passed among his army, preventing them from taking any stern action among the townsfolk. Cromwell demanded that no supplies were to be seized from the civilian inhabitants and that everything should be fairly purchased; "I do hereby warn....all Officers, Soldiers and others under my command not to do any wrong or violence toward Country People or any persons whatsoever, unless they be actually in arms or office with the enemy.....as they shall answer to the contrary at their utmost peril." Before Cromwell had been in Dublin a week, several English soldiers were hanged for disobeying these orders. It can be noted, however, that Dublin had long since had the Catholics expelled, and was one of the few slivers of Protestantism on the Emerald Isle.

In addition to preparing his army, Cromwells final steps in Dublin, and throughout Meath, would be securing stable supply. Cromwell knew the campaigning season would be short, and without the ability to forage for food, supply ports from England needed to be secured. Aside from Dublin, there were few East Coast ports in Parliaments control. Royalist holdouts and Irish Confederates held almost every village and town outside of Dublin, and Ulster was blanketed by their forces.

On his march northward, Cromwell would first approach the coastal city of Drogheda.

With sixteen thousand men, and eleven forty-eight pounders, Cromwell approached the southern gates, his forces concentrated for a quick breach, and a quick assault. Time was of the essence, and Cromwell did not want the capture of this, or any of the other port towns, to take a weeks time each. His army settled in, but were tense and taut. Like a bowstring pulled back to breaking, they were ready for battle. Cromwell sent an order of Surrender to the cities Royalist governor, Arthur Aston. It was refused. Outraged, Cromwell ordered an immediate assault.


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Drogheda was two things to Cromwell. One, it was an essential supply port that needed rapid acquisition. Two, it was a message. Not just to the Irish Confederates, but to the King, and to the dissenters and non-puritans in his own Parliament. Those who oppose his righteous mission, will be destroyed. Those who associate with his greatest enemy, the Catholics, will be driven from the earth with vengeance and hellfire. Cromwell made it clear that he was not to be taken lightly.

News of the sacking of Drogheda had the intended result. All opposing towns surrendered immediately. Cromwells victory in the Pale was so complete and so profound, the Confederates began urgently drafting terms to the Parliament to prevent further bloodshed. Cromwell heard these demands, and his counter-proposal was simple, and outrageous. Cromwell demanded total surrender, the revocation of all Catholic held land to Parliament and the imprisonment of every man in the General Assembly and Supreme Council. The Confederates would obviously refuse, and Cromwell would begin his march. The entire force of the Confederates was massed in Ulster, besieging the last of the Protestant held towns in the north. Should Cromwell achieve victory there, all of Ireland would be his for the taking.

In Ulster, the Confederates stood nearly ten thousand strong; weaker in numbers to Cromwells sixteen. News of the Parliamentary armies approach would reach the Confederate force several days earlier, and they would collapse from the siege of Daire (Londonderry to the English), rapidly deploying a perimeter defensive line in the tall grasses and hills, safely on the western banks of the River Foyle. To the south of Londonderry, the mighty river was thin, shallow, and fordable. The Confederates knew Cromwell would come by this route. There they would wait. No Parliamentary scouts came. No emissaries of peace were dispatched.

The Confederates would only have to wait a few days. Cromwell was still keen for rapid and total victory, and his men marched long and hard. When the Parliamentary army neared the river, the Autumn sun was setting. Cromwell had no desire to wait for morning. He had no stomach to play the games the noble royalists played before getting on with the bloody business they were gathered for. There would be no terms, and there would be no respite from the black of the night.

Each of Cromwells men held a blazing lantern to light their approach to the fields of battle, slithering forward like a serpent of flame as the thick blanket of night slowly draped itself over Ireland. Cromwell couldn't see his enemy hiding in the tall, dry grasses, but he knew where they were hiding. It was of little concern where they cowered in their holes, he thought. His goal was fear. He ordered artillery fire, caring little where the shelling broke ground. The Army of God would march to the thunder of guns.

The shelling crashed into the earth across the river Foyle, some shells hitting targets, others merely exploding in a ball of flame well away from the enemy, harmlessly lighting the dray grasses alight. As was his style Cromwell led his men from the front. His cavalry and infantry were tightly packed, shoulder to shoulder and knee to knee. The first volley of Confederate musketfire burst from the hills, ripping into the Parliamentary line. So tightly packed, those men that caught the bullets didn't even appear to fall. A second volley burst from the hills, striking into the approaching army. To the Confederates eyes, darkened by the black of the night, the invincible army of Cromwell seemed to merely shrug the musketfire off like the annoying bites of mosquitos. Unrelenting, the parliamentary army marched to the banks of the river Foyle, unyielding, and unceasing.

As they marched, Cromwells army recited psalms:

"Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight. My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me. Lord, what is man, that thou takest knowledge of him! or the son of man, that thou makest account of him! Man is like to vanity: his days are as a shadow that passeth away. Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down: touch the mountains, and they shall smoke. Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them." - Psalms 144:1-6

With the hooves of Cromwells cavalry splashing into the river, the forward infantry let out a mighty yell, and hurled their lanterns. It was a dry September, and with a long, warm summer, the grass burst with flame and smoke. The commanders of the Irish Confederates panicked, ordering their forward lines to fire at will. The flames were blinding in the dark of night, and the smoke began pouring over the field, a sooty grey cloud that blocked out the moon, and cast shadows through the night, the shapes of men dancing in flame, towering from the earth to the sky. More lanterns were thrown as more infantry approached. The Irishmen fired wildly into the smoke and fire, not knowing if a single shot had hit their mark. Only the fire, the smoke, the thunder of guns and the load shouting of Psalms gave any indication as to where Cromwells men were marching.

Then the gates of hell opened. Through the fire and smoke the Parliamentary cavalry broke forth, shrouded in the grey ash, swords held high. The horses, disciplined and trained, soaked wet from the river crossing, had little fear of the flame. To the flanks, the infantry thundered hurrahs and unleashed an unrelenting stagger of musket fire. The Irishmen, brave against the mightiest of foes, cracked, crumbled, and in the darkness, fled. There was no mercy, and Cromwell had no desire to feed and care for thousands of Catholic prisoners. To a man, the Irish Confederate army was destroyed.


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Cromwell would spend a week restocking and consolidating his forces in Londonderry. But the war for Ireland was still being fought elsewhere. Before Cromwell had set off for Ireland, he sent orders to General of the Sea Robert Blake. The Irish fleet was an ever present risk, and even with supply ports captured and held, the Irish raiders would prevent steady supply ships from reaching shore. Robert Blake was to have his first test as a naval commander.

In this test, he would pass with flying colours. He split his fleet in half, his subordinate commander, George Ayscue sailing north, and his fleet sailing south through the Irish sea. They didn't engage in combat, preferring to merely chase and harass the Irish ships, pushing them close to the coast, and driving them together. After months of maneuvers and positioning, the Irish navy was forced to commit, clashing with the full force of Robert Blakes naval armada in the Celtic Sea.

It was one sided, and the Irish fleet didn't stand a chance. Nevertheless, it was a heroic victory for Robert Blake. To prove himself, he sailed into the heart of the battle with his own flagship, the George, hunting for the Roisin, flagship of the Irish commander Conchobhar Kavanagh. It was protected by the Orla and the Ciara, and Blake was forced to tangle with the two smaller ships as well. Firing chain shot from forward chase cannons, he kept the masts of the Roison ripped, leaving the Irish flagship stranded. Meanwhile, He would cut hard towards the Ciara, catching her broadsided, and ripping the smaller ship to pieces with the full roar of his ships broadside guns. The Orla turned into Blakes ship, striking near the rudder, and hoping to cripple the George, but Blake saw the strike coming, and his crew was able to pull hard around. The Ciara had already taken the full load of Blakes Port guns, and the Orla would in turn take the starboard.

With the screening ships crippled, Blake drove the George hard at the Roison. He had no intention of sinking the pride of Irelands naval fleet. He ordered his men to prepare for boarding, and once his ship crashed into the side of the Roison, his men charged over. Blake, well versed in the art of single combat and war with a sword and musket, eagerly went over the board with his men, leading them from the deck of the Roison in a quick and bloody assault. By the end, Admiral Kavanagh was dead, and the Roison was captured.


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Back on land, Cromwell marched south, facing little to no further opposition. The Irish Confederation was reeling after news of their total defeat trickled south to Kilkenny. Cromwell split his forces, and blanketed all of Ireland in a series of sieges. The Royalist and Irish forces, calling themselves "tóraidhe" or "Tory" to the Englishmen, a word meaning "Pursued Man", would scatter and devote their energy instead to a guerrilla war. The Guerrilla war would drag on for more than a year, amid sieges and conquests of the Irish territory by Cromwell's Parliamentary army. The Tories were effective at destroying supply to Cromwells forces, to the point it was reported that no English convoy was in safety two miles outside of a military base. In response, Cromwell ordered the pillage or destruction of local villages food stocks, and the eviction of civilians assumed to be harbouring the rebels.

The result was widespread famine and disease, including a resurgence of bubonic plague. Large portions of Ireland were declared "Fire Free Zone", where any Irishman found would be assumed a Royalist or Confederate rebel, and would be killed, his belongings and property taken as the spoils of war. The great siege of Ireland and the Guerrilla war lasted nearly six hundred days before the last free Irish fortress surrendered.


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With the Supreme Council of the Irish Confederation in chains, they were forced to accept Cromwells terms for peace.

Disease and famine weren't the worst of Irelands troubles in the wake of Cromwell's conquest. In addition to the terms of surrender, Cromwell drafted legislation called the "Settlement Act". The act was designed with the express purpose of utterly destroying Irelands ability to rise in rebellion in the future, and force a total conversion of the land to the "one true faith".

All Catholic held land was seized and given to Englishmen. Swathes of the countryside were granted to Cromwell's closest friends and supporters in Parliament. Large framers and tenements were given to the soldiers of his army as payment for their service. Any Irishman that refused to be evicted was arrested and shipped to the New World colonies. Those that did not resist were forcibly moved to the "Free Irish" lands of Connaught. Called "Transplanters" these "Free Irish" were forced into servitude. None were eligible for military or political service. The act would strip Irish Catholics with all but a sliver of land to call their own. Without a suitable government, an English led Irish Parliament would be established to govern the nation, tied totally to the English Parliament. What became known as the Cromwellian Plantations, The Irish that remained in their homes outside of Connaught were forced into tenement under English lords and soldiers.


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The English Parliament was thrilled with the terms of surrender, and eagerly passed the Settlement Act. Some MP's, particularly Royalists, spoke out against the harshness of not only the conquest, but the Settlement Act itself, but they were in minority to the Puritan's that pushed it through. It should be noted that many of those that pushed the act through were also in the greatest position to gain from its implementation.

The atrocities of war, famine, plagues and Settlement Act cost Ireland an estimated 40% of her pre-war population, and left a scar on the Irish people that has never healed.

Cromwell returned to London under mixed reaction. Much of Parliament was thrilled with the subjugation of Ireland, but moderates and Royalists were abhorred by the methods used to acquire it. When some among the Royalist MP's suggested that Cromwell would one day have to pay for his war-crimes, and commented that his New Model Army was stained in the blood of innocent men, Cromwell declared "The stains of blood were acquired completing the righteous crusade of God against the heretics that would see the Three Kingdoms dragged down to the very depths of Hell. If these stains show Englands convictions to truth, God, and justice, than I wear them with pride, and wear them with honour."

Shortly after, Cromwell would redesign the English military uniforms, changing from the traditional blue and grey coats of the old Royalist soldier, to coats of bright red.

When Cromwell arrived in London, the response to Parliaments demands from King Charles was finally presented. It came as a shock, and riled the fury of Oliver Cromwell. Not only did the wretched King Charles refuse Parliaments demands, but the Scottish Covenanters, allies of the Parliament and locked in revolt against the King, had swapped sides, refuting their alliance with Cromwell, and declaring their support for King Charles.

The word from George Monck, stationed in the north near the border with Scotland, reported that Queen Henrietta and her children set sail for France weeks prior, and nearly twenty thousand Scottish soldiers were massed outside of Lothian. The King sent his response to Parliament with his own proclamation. He would submit to a full Parliamentary investigation, and grant extensive reforms of religion and government, but he was unwilling to revoke his powers of state. In favour of his Irish Catholic allies, he also demanded a total repealment of Cromwells Settlement Act in Ireland. The King was willing to bend, but would not be broken.

As a show of Royalist power, Lord Richard Buckingham, sir Benjamin Clarence, and Lord Robert Benbow, all three major members of Parliament, left London for their homes, where rumours of armed levies mustering were reported to Parliament.

Parliament fell into chaotic debate on how to respond to King Charles. Should there finally be peace, or would the Three Kingdoms collapse into a second Civil War.
 
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Your second heavy ship is called Royal Charles, a bid weird. You could call it the Cromwell.
 
I hadn't renamed any of the ships, but it would make sense. On the other hand, at the time English Parliament still considered Charles their king, and was still technically a monarchy. It wasn't until after the second civil war that the Protectorate was totally established and all things Charles pushed out. Either way, I agree, and think some name changes are in order! If it were up to Cromwell, I'm sure he'd like something Biblical...
 
The Royalist and Irish forces, calling themselves "tóraidhe" or "Tory" to the Englishmen, a word meaning "Pursued Man", would scatter and devote their energy instead to a guerrilla war.

Whence we get the poltical party name – though I'm sure you knew that already. ;)

Another excellent update, Mondo. I haven't really looked at Cromwell since I had to do an exam question on his Irish "adventures" two years ago. Nonetheless, I was able to appreciate your graphics and prose to the full what with a decent bank of background knowledge, which I always finds helps when reading things. Your account of the events in Drogheda was particularly vivid and well done, I thought.

Another thing on titles, however: a Duke is referred to by his title, rather than his surname. It would be "The Duke of Ormonde", as opposed to "Duke (James) Butler". If you want to include his name, "James Butler, Duke of Ordmonde" would be the correct styling.

I'll stop now. Promise. :p
 
As always, love the graphics. I do have a bit of a personal interest in Ireland, seeing as my family, in both Ireland and America, are proud Unionists. My uncle Dennis played an important part in the hunger strikes there as well. So basically, I'm very anti-Brit, anti-Cromwell, and anti-Ulster. ;)
 
Whence we get the poltical party name – though I'm sure you knew that already. ;)

Another excellent update, Mondo. I haven't really looked at Cromwell since I had to do an exam question on his Irish "adventures" two years ago. Nonetheless, I was able to appreciate your graphics and prose to the full what with a decent bank of background knowledge, which I always finds helps when reading things. Your account of the events in Drogheda was particularly vivid and well done, I thought.

Another thing on titles, however: a Duke is referred to by his title, rather than his surname. It would be "The Duke of Ormonde", as opposed to "Duke (James) Butler". If you want to include his name, "James Butler, Duke of Ordmonde" would be the correct styling.

I'll stop now. Promise. :p

I was aware of the origins of the Tory party name; much moreso than the correct usage of a noblemans title and name, apparently... By all means point out those little mistakes. Not only is it interesting to know, but it helps me keep things sensible!

Regardless, thank you for your comments! It's nice to know someone is reading and enjoying the AAR! I wasn't sure at first if I wanted to include Drogheda in the AAR, and just focus on the conquest of Ireland itself (albeit a touch early), but I felt that the incident was far to important in the history of the Civil War to exclude. It certainly sets the tone of the psyche of Olilver Cromwell.

As always, love the graphics. I do have a bit of a personal interest in Ireland, seeing as my family, in both Ireland and America, are proud Unionists. My uncle Dennis played an important part in the hunger strikes there as well. So basically, I'm very anti-Brit, anti-Cromwell, and anti-Ulster. ;)

Thank you! There's nothing wrong with being anti Cromwell, for sure; he was a menace, particularly in Ireland.
 
What an excellent idea for your new AAR, the Civil War and Commonwealth period are very interesting indeed.

I will give Cromwell a bit of a defence since no one else is giving him any love. He wasn't as dour as many make out (he liked a drink and practical jokes oddly enough). On Ireland... the only thing I'll say is the massacres that took place under his direct command were in line with the contemporary rules of war (armed men who refused to surrender when offered quarter). Charles Fleetwood who took over the campaign from him instigated the worst crimes often leveled at Cromwell and even then they are exaggerated in number. The English invasion was combined with Irish civil war, poor harvests and the Scottish 'operation' in Ulster where by far the worst excesses took place (Cromwell was harsh to towns harbouring enemy troops, the Scots avoided enemy troops to attack civilians), all in all Ireland suffered terribly and Cromwell was no saint to its people. However I feel politics, namely Anglo-Irish relations and the Restoration mean Cromwell gets demonised beyond what he deserves. Still ultimately a prick though.

That messy topic out of the way, I hope Robert Blake gets loads of love. He was, really, England's greatest naval commander by a country mile (Nelson agreed) and has been blotted from popular history due to his politics. Assuming your republic survives, maybe we'll see Blake's Column in Tenerife Square?
 
Assuming your republic survives, maybe we'll see Blake's Column in Tenerife Square?

Well, we won't – but the pigeons will. :p
 
An AAR on the English Civil War period, fantastic! Not to mention you have spectacular graphics that, no doubt, probably take a good bit of time to work on. Plus you're featuring so many great historical figures from OTL and seeing how they do in this timeline will be quite a joy!

Best of luck with this, I'm hooked! Cheers!
 
What an excellent idea for your new AAR, the Civil War and Commonwealth period are very interesting indeed.

I will give Cromwell a bit of a defence since no one else is giving him any love. He wasn't as dour as many make out (he liked a drink and practical jokes oddly enough). On Ireland... the only thing I'll say is the massacres that took place under his direct command were in line with the contemporary rules of war (armed men who refused to surrender when offered quarter). Charles Fleetwood who took over the campaign from him instigated the worst crimes often leveled at Cromwell and even then they are exaggerated in number. The English invasion was combined with Irish civil war, poor harvests and the Scottish 'operation' in Ulster where by far the worst excesses took place (Cromwell was harsh to towns harbouring enemy troops, the Scots avoided enemy troops to attack civilians), all in all Ireland suffered terribly and Cromwell was no saint to its people. However I feel politics, namely Anglo-Irish relations and the Restoration mean Cromwell gets demonised beyond what he deserves. Still ultimately a prick though.

That messy topic out of the way, I hope Robert Blake gets loads of love. He was, really, England's greatest naval commander by a country mile (Nelson agreed) and has been blotted from popular history due to his politics. Assuming your republic survives, maybe we'll see Blake's Column in Tenerife Square?

You can take some credit for the inspiration actually. Your excellent VickyII AAR A House United gave me the idea try a "civil war" scenario out. With the American civil war already the subject of some great AAR's, I thought the English Civil War might be a fun experiment.

Regarding Mr. Cromwell, you're very right in what you mention. He gets a lot of vitriol spewed his way, and much of that is thanks to an effective smear campaign after the Restoration. By modern accounts he was a monster, to be sure, but for the rules and traditions of the day, he was hardly history's worst offender. Had his son Richard held things together and the Protectorate survive (or Fleetwood chosen to run things instead, perhaps), it's quite likely a different picture of Oliver Cromwell would have been painted.

And yes, Blake was a hell of a naval commander. I'm hoping he features in more than just a solid drubbing the Irish 'fleet'. I'm sure he will!

An AAR on the English Civil War period, fantastic! Not to mention you have spectacular graphics that, no doubt, probably take a good bit of time to work on. Plus you're featuring so many great historical figures from OTL and seeing how they do in this timeline will be quite a joy!

Best of luck with this, I'm hooked! Cheers!

Glad to have you reading! I hope you enjoy
 
Say, Nice AAR you got there.

Are you going to write an update on your Hungary AAR soon?