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Biography of Frances Cromwell Baroness Russell 1638-1720

Paternal Family Tree: Williams aka Cromwell

Maternal Family Tree: Elizabeth Bourchier 1598-1665

1643 Battle of Gainsborough

1649 Siege of Drogheda

1653 Cromwell becomes Lord Protector

1658 Death and Funeral of Oliver Cromwell

On 22nd August 1620 [her father] Oliver Cromwell (age 21) and [her mother] Elizabeth Bourchier (age 22) were married.

In 1638 Frances Cromwell Baroness Russell was born to [her father] Oliver Cromwell (age 38) and [her mother] Elizabeth Bourchier (age 40).

Battle of Gainsborough

On 28th July 1643 the Parliamentary arms commanded by [her father] Oliver Cromwell (age 44) and the Royalist army commanded by Charles Cavendish (age 23) fought at the Battle of Gainsborough at North Scarle.

Charles Cavendish was killed by James Berry. He was buried at Newark on Trent, Nottinghamshire [Map].

On 4th August 1643 the Royalist Newdigate Poyntz (age 34) died probably from wounds received at the battle.

Siege of Drogheda

Between 3rd September 1649 and 11th September 1649, Drogheda [Map], under the command of the Royalist Arthur Aston (age 59), was besieged by the Parliamentary army commanded by [her father] Oliver Cromwell (age 50).

On 11th September 1649 Oliver Cromwell had a letter delivered to Sir Arthur Aston, which proposed his Aston's surrender; Aston refused.

At 5:00 PM Cromwell ordered simultaneous assaults on the southern and eastern breaches in the walls of Drogheda.

At the southern breach, the defenders counterattacked. The death of their commander, Colonel Wall, caused them to fall back, allowing further Parliamentary reinforcements to be funnelled into the breach. In the fighting at the walls some 150 Parliamentarian troops, including Colonel Castle, were killed.

After the death of Colonel Wall with more and more Parliamentary soldiers streaming into the breaches, the Royalist resistance at the walls collapsed.

In Cromwell's words, "In the heat of the action, I forbade them [his soldiers] to spare any that were in arms in the town...and, that night they put to the sword about two thousand men".

The execution of Royalists constinued as and when they were discovered.

Around one hundred Royalists were discovered in St Peter's Church - Cromwell ordered the church and those inside to be burned.

Arthur Aston was killed.

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Cromwell becomes Lord Protector

On 16th December 1653 [her father] Oliver Cromwell (age 54) was appointed Lord Protector.

In 1654 William Lockhart of Lee (age 33) and Robina Sewster (age 24) were married. She being a niece of [her father] Oliver Cromwell (age 54).

On 30th May 1654 Hugh Wyndham Baron of the Exchequer (age 52) was appointed Justice of the Common Pleas by [her father] Oliver Cromwell (age 55).

Around 1655 Peter Lely (age 36). Portrait of Frances Cromwell Baroness Russell (age 17).

After 1657 Colonel Silius Titus (age 34) was appointed Groom of the Bedchamber by King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 26) for having published a pamphlet "Killing No Murder" advocating the assassination of [her father] Oliver Cromwell (age 57).

On 11th November 1657 Robert Rich (age 23) and Frances Cromwell Baroness Russell (age 19) were married. He died three months later. She the daughter of Oliver Cromwell (age 58) and Elizabeth Bourchier (age 59). He the son of Robert Rich 3rd Earl Warwick (age 46) and Anne Cavendish Countess Warwick.

On 18th November 1657 [her brother-in-law] Thomas Belasyse 1st Earl Fauconberg (age 30) and [her sister] Mary Cromwell Countess Fauconberg (age 20) were married. She by marriage Viscountess Faunconberg. She the daughter of [her father] Oliver Cromwell (age 58) and [her mother] Elizabeth Bourchier (age 59).

Chronicle of Geoffrey le Baker of Swinbroke

Baker was a secular clerk from Swinbroke, now Swinbrook, an Oxfordshire village two miles east of Burford. His Chronicle describes the events of the period 1303-1356: Gaveston, Bannockburn, Boroughbridge, the murder of King Edward II, the Scottish Wars, Sluys, Crécy, the Black Death, Winchelsea and Poitiers. To quote Herbert Bruce 'it possesses a vigorous and characteristic style, and its value for particular events between 1303 and 1356 has been recognised by its editor and by subsequent writers'. The book provides remarkable detail about the events it describes. Baker's text has been augmented with hundreds of notes, including extracts from other contemporary chronicles, such as the Annales Londonienses, Annales Paulini, Murimuth, Lanercost, Avesbury, Guisborough and Froissart to enrich the reader's understanding. The translation takes as its source the 'Chronicon Galfridi le Baker de Swynebroke' published in 1889, edited by Edward Maunde Thompson.

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Around 1658 John Michael Wright (age 40). Portrait of Frances Cromwell Baroness Russell (age 20).

On 16th February 1658 [her husband] Robert Rich (age 24) died of consumption.

Death and Funeral of Oliver Cromwell

On 3rd September 1658 [her father] Oliver Cromwell (age 59) died at Whitehall Palace [Map]. His son [her brother] Richard (age 31) succeeded Lord Protector.

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 19th September 1660. Office Day. I put on my mourning and went to the office. At noon thinking to have found my wife in hers, I found that the tailor had failed her, at which I was vexed because of an invitation that we have to a dinner this day, but after having waited till past one o'clock I went, and left her to put on some other clothes and come after me to the Mitre tavern in Wood-street (a house of the greatest note in London), where I met W. Symons, and D. Scobell, and their wives, Mr. Samford, Luellin, Chetwind, one Mr. Vivion, and Mr. White1, formerly chaplin to the [her mother] Lady Protectresse (age 62)2 (and still so, and one they say that is likely to get my Lady Francess (age 22) for his wife). Here we were very merry and had a very good dinner, my wife coming after me hither to us.

Note 1. According to Noble, Jeremiah White married Lady Frances Cromwell's waiting-woman, in Oliver's lifetime, and they lived together fifty years. Lady Frances had two husbands, [her former husband] Mr. Robert Rich and [her future husband] Sir John Russell of Chippenham (age 20), the last of whom she survived fifty-two years dying 1721-22 The story is, that Oliver found White on his knees to Frances Cromwell, and that, to save himself, he pretended to have been soliciting her interest with her waiting-woman, whom Oliver compelled him to marry. (Noble's "Life of Cromwell", vol. ii. pp. 151, 152.) White was born in 1629 and died 1707.

Note 2. Elizabeth, wife of [her father] Oliver Cromwell.

On 7th May 1663 John Russell 3rd Baronet (age 23) and Frances Cromwell Baroness Russell (age 25) were married. She the daughter of Oliver Cromwell and Elizabeth Bourchier (age 65).

In 1664 [her father-in-law] Francis Russell 2nd Baronet (age 48) died. His son [her husband] John (age 24) succeeded 3rd Baronet Russell of Chippenham in Wiltshire. Frances Cromwell Baroness Russell (age 26) by marriage Lady Russell of Chippenham in Wiltshire.

In 1664 [her daughter] Elizabeth Russell Lady Thirkleby was born to [her husband] John Russell 3rd Baronet (age 24) and Frances Cromwell Baroness Russell (age 26). She married 1683 Thomas Frankland 2nd Baronet, son of William Frankland 1st Baronet and Arabella Belasyse Lady Thirkleby, and had issue.

In or after 1664 [her son] William Russell 4th Baronet was born to [her husband] John Russell 3rd Baronet (age 24) and Frances Cromwell Baroness Russell (age 26).

Samuel Pepys' Diary. 13th October 1664. After being at the office all the morning, I home and dined, and taking leave of my wife with my mind not a little troubled how she would look after herself or house in my absence, especially, too, leaving a considerable sum of money in the office, I by coach to the Red Lyon in Aldersgate Street, and there, by agreement, met W. Joyce and Tom Trice, and mounted, I upon a very fine mare that Sir W. Warren helps me to, and so very merrily rode till it was very darke, I leading the way through the darke to Welling, and there, not being very weary, to supper and to bed. But very bad accommodation at the Swan. In this day's journey I met with Mr. White, Cromwell's chaplin that was, and had a great deale of discourse with him. Among others, he tells me that [her brother] Richard (age 38) is, and hath long been, in France, and is now going into Italy. He owns publiquely that he do correspond, and return him all his money. That Richard hath been in some straits at the beginning; but relieved by his friends. That he goes by another name, but do not disguise himself, nor deny himself to any man that challenges him. He tells me, for certain, that offers had been made to the old man, of marriage between the King (age 34) and his daughter (age 26), to have obliged him, but he would not1. He thinks (with me) that it never was in his power to bring in the King with the consent of any of his officers about him; and that he scorned to bring him in as Monk (age 55) did, to secure himself and deliver every body else. When I told him of what I found writ in a French book of one Monsieur Sorbiere, that gives an account of his observations herein England; among other things he says, that it is reported that Cromwell did, in his life-time, transpose many of the bodies of the Kings of England from one grave to another, and that by that means it is not known certainly whether the head that is now set up upon a post be that of Cromwell, or of one of the Kings. Mr. White tells me that he believes he never had so poor a low thought in him to trouble himself about it. He says the hand of God is much to be seen; that all his children are in good condition enough as to estate, and that their relations that betrayed their family are all now either hanged or very miserable.

Note 1. The Protector wished the Duke of Buckingham (age 36) to marry his daughter Frances. She married, 1. [her former husband] Robert Rich, grandson and heir to Robert, Earl of Warwick, on November 11th, 1657, who died in the following February; 2. [her husband] Sir John Russell, Bart (age 24). She died January 27th, 1721-22 [Note. Other sources day 1720], aged eighty-four. In T. Morrice's life of Roger, Earl of Orrery (age 43), prefixed to Orrery's "State Letters" (Dublin, 1743, vol. i., p. 40), there is a circumstantial account of an interview between Orrery (then Lord Broghill) and Cromwell, in which the former suggested to the latter that Charles II should marry Frances Cromwell. Cromwell gave great attention to the reasons urged, "but walking two or three turns, and pondering with himself, he told Lord Broghill the King would never forgive him the death of his father. His lordship desired him to employ somebody to sound the King in this matter, to see how he would take it, and offered himself to mediate in it for him. But Cromwell would not consent, but again repeated, 'the King cannot and will not forgive the death of his father;' and so he left his lordship, who durst not tell him he had already dealt with his majesty in that affair. Upon this my Lord withdrew, and meeting Cromwell's wife and daughter, they inquired how he had succeeded; of which having given them an account, he added they must try their interest in him, but none could prevail"..

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The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy

The Gesta Normannorum Ducum [The Deeds of the Dukes of Normandy] is a landmark medieval chronicle tracing the rise and fall of the Norman dynasty from its early roots through the pivotal events surrounding the Norman Conquest of England. Originally penned in Latin by the monk William of Jumièges shortly before 1060 and later expanded at the behest of William the Conqueror, the work chronicles the deeds, politics, battles, and leadership of the Norman dukes, especially William’s own claim to the English throne. The narrative combines earlier historical sources with firsthand information and oral testimony to present an authoritative account of Normandy’s transformation from a Viking settlement into one of medieval Europe’s most powerful realms. William’s history emphasizes the legitimacy, military prowess, and governance of the Norman line, framing their expansion, including the conquest of England, as both divinely sanctioned and noble in purpose. Later chroniclers such as Orderic Vitalis and Robert of Torigni continued the history, extending the coverage into the 12th century, providing broader context on ducal rule and its impact. Today this classic work remains a foundational source for understanding Norman identity, medieval statesmanship, and the historical forces that reshaped England and Western Europe between 800AD and 1100AD.

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In 1665 [her mother] Elizabeth Bourchier (age 67) died.

Around 1667 [her son] Rich Russell was born to [her husband] John Russell 3rd Baronet (age 27) and Frances Cromwell Baroness Russell (age 29).

In 1669 [her son] Christian Russell died.

On 24th March 1669 [her husband] John Russell 3rd Baronet (age 29) died. His son [her son] William (age 5) succeeded 4th Baronet Russell of Chippenham in Wiltshire.

In 1670 [her son] John Russell was born to [her former husband] John Russell 3rd Baronet and Frances Cromwell Baroness Russell (age 32).

In 1683 [her son-in-law] Thomas Frankland 2nd Baronet (age 18) and [her daughter] Elizabeth Russell Lady Thirkleby (age 19) were married. They had ten children.

Before 1691. John Riley (age 44). Portrait of Frances Cromwell Baroness Russell (age 52).

In 1707 [her son] William Russell 4th Baronet (age 42) died. His son [her grandson] William (age 11) succeeded 5th Baronet Russell of Chippenham in Wiltshire.

The History of William Marshal, Earl of Chepstow and Pembroke, Regent of England. Book 1 of 2, Lines 1-10152.

The History of William Marshal was commissioned by his son shortly after William’s death in 1219 to celebrate the Marshal’s remarkable life; it is an authentic, contemporary voice. The manuscript was discovered in 1861 by French historian Paul Meyer. Meyer published the manuscript in its original Anglo-French in 1891 in two books. This book is a line by line translation of the first of Meyer’s books; lines 1-10152. Book 1 of the History begins in 1139 and ends in 1194. It describes the events of the Anarchy, the role of William’s father John, John’s marriages, William’s childhood, his role as a hostage at the siege of Newbury, his injury and imprisonment in Poitou where he met Eleanor of Aquitaine and his life as a knight errant. It continues with the accusation against him of an improper relationship with Margaret, wife of Henry the Young King, his exile, and return, the death of Henry the Young King, the rebellion of Richard, the future King Richard I, war with France, the death of King Henry II, and the capture of King Richard, and the rebellion of John, the future King John. It ends with the release of King Richard and the death of John Marshal.

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On 12th July 1712 [her brother] Richard Cromwell Lord Protector (age 85) died.

On 14th March 1713 [her sister] Mary Cromwell Countess Fauconberg (age 76) died.

In 27th January 1720 Frances Cromwell Baroness Russell (age 82) died.

[her son] Christian Russell was born to John Russell 3rd Baronet and Frances Cromwell Baroness Russell.

Royal Ancestors of Frances Cromwell Baroness Russell

Kings Wessex: Great x 24 Grand Daughter of King Edward "Elder" of the Anglo Saxons

Kings England: Great x 18 Grand Daughter of King Henry I "Beauclerc" England

Kings Franks: Great x 26 Grand Daughter of Louis "Pious" King Aquitaine I King of the Franks

Kings France: Great x 21 Grand Daughter of Robert "Pious" II King of the Franks

Kings Duke Aquitaine: Great x 26 Grand Daughter of Ranulf I Duke Aquitaine

Ancestors of Frances Cromwell Baroness Russell

Great x 3 Grandfather: Morgan Williams

Great x 2 Grandfather: Richard Cromwell aka Williams 14 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 4 Grandfather: Walter Cromwell 12 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 3 Grandmother: Katherine Cromwell 13 x Great Grand Daughter of

Great x 4 Grandmother: Katherine Glossop

Great x 1 Grandfather: Henry Cromwell aka Williams 15 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Murfyn

Great x 2 Grandmother: Frances Mirfyn

GrandFather: Robert Cromwell 16 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 3 Grandfather: Thomas Warren of Feering in Essex

Great x 2 Grandfather: Ralph Warren

Great x 1 Grandmother: Joan Warren

Great x 3 Grandfather: John Lake alias Davy of Cornwall

Great x 2 Grandmother: Joan Trelake

Father: Oliver Cromwell 17 x Great Grand Son of

Great x 1 Grandfather: William Steward

GrandMother: Elizabeth Steward

Frances Cromwell Baroness Russell 18 x Great Grand Daughter of

GrandFather: John Bourchier

Mother: Elizabeth Bourchier