Right, fortified by a glass of wine, we're geared up to provide a #CromwellCommentary on the movie Cromwell, now starting on @BBCFOUR...
You can tell it's meant to be the #17thCentury Fens. It's soggy...
Suitably epic music time. With religious overtones. The composer was obviously hoping that 'Old Noll' would have approved...
For some reason the film starts in Cambridge - presumably as it's the place US audiences would have heard of. In fact in 1640 Cromwell was living in Ely at @Cromwells_House although he owned property in Cambridge and was elected as MP there.
It also starts with the conceit that Cromwell was planning to emigrate to America. The only evidence really of this was a comment Cromwell made to Lord Falkland in 1641 that he'd leave the country if the Grand Remonstrance wasn't passed... #CromwellCommentary
The idea that everyone was talking about a Civil War in 1639 is a bit premature...
Manchester wasn't the Earl of Manchester yet in 1639; in Cromwell's patch it was less enclosure and more the drainage of the Fens that was causing political tensions as it affected many people's livelihoods...
Puritan stereotype 101 - everyone wore black (they didn't, it was an expensive dye that many couldn't afford) and had short haircuts (most men had shoulder length hair - Roundhead was a term of abuse).
'Jackanapes' - there's a good period insult for you. Must use it more in conversation... 😉
The set for the area around the Palace of Westminster is pretty good. Certainly looks the part.
The major problem with the early part of the film is that it vastly overstates Cromwell's importance. Pre-Civil War he was a very minor backbench MP, a scruffy oik from the provinces... It was commented on that he was poorly dressed with blood on his collar from shaving cuts...
Strafford's for the chop... Laud doesn't really feature though does he? Odd as he's arguably more significant...
Not aware of any sort of meeting taking place like this with Charles, certainly not with Cromwell involved...
Cromwell as a champion of democracy (or even talking about it in such a way) is, to say the least, something of a modernism... 😳😳
Cromwell was NOT one of the five MPs the King tried to arrest - Pym, Hampden, Holles, Strode, Haselrig - plus the future Earl of Manchester from the Lords. Cromwell was far too minor a figure...
Having said that, this is a cracking depiction of the drama of what was a really seminal event and this bit between the King and the speaker is well done...
Everyone still talking a bit prematurely about Civil War. This division scene now where everyone spontaneously chooses sides and goes off to war on the spot is as much nonsense as Shakespeare's bit about nobles choosing roses at the start of the Wars of the Roses...
As always the mobilisation and slide to a Civil War took much longer than the film is showing here...
At this point in the Civil War (Edgehill) Cromwell was only a lowly cavalry lieutenant in charge of a troop of 60 horse (no infantry) and had no military experience. His son Richard never held any military rank (hence partly his later deposition as Protector)...
It's James Bond and his dog! Tim Dalton as a rather too English Prince Rupert (who although the King's nephew was German) and a rather too small poodle 'Boye'...
Cromwell was only a cavalry lieutenant at Edgehill, and is widely thought to have turned up late to the battle. Was Manchester even there either @EnglishCivilWar?
Cromwell quoting Jacob Astley there in his prayer, who was erm, Royalist. Poor old Fairfax wasn't at Edgehill - he was up in Yorkshire. 'Black Tom' is relegated to being Cromwell's sidekick in this film. in reality who was the man most responsible for winning the First Civil War.
As inaccurate as the battle scenes are (siege cannon for example) they are quite spectacular and give an idea of the scale of a Civil War battle. If a new film was made on this period, imagine what could be done today with modern effects...
Edgehill wasn't the decisive victory for the Royalists the film makes out. It was unclear who'd won by the end of it...
This whole section leading up to Naseby is complete rubbish. There was 2 years between Edgehill and the forming of the New Model Army. The assault course thing is laughable as are the stripy rugby shirts (first British army to wear read coats)...
Above all Cromwell did not raise or train the New Model Army - that was Fairfax and Skippon. Cromwell was only appointed as 2IC and commander of the New Model horse a fortnight before Naseby...
Poor old ‘Boye’ Prince Rupert’s dog had been killed at Marston Moor the preceding year...
The film’s rendition of the Battle of Naseby bears no resemblance to, um, anything... not quite sure what they were thinking here... 😳
Need more wine....
Need more wine....
Cromwell’s oldest surviving son Oliver was not killed at Naseby. He died of disease on garrison duty at Newport Pagnell the previous year.
We seem to be doing the whole ‘Self Denying Ordinance’ now after Naseby... #ShomeMishtakeSurely
Cromwell was not appointed as Lord General of Parliament’s forces until 1650...
The King and Rupert’s confrontation was at Newark I believe @civilwarcentre @mr_ghughes?
Charles negotiations to bring in foreign forces to support his war effort was revealed in his papers captured at Naseby, ‘The King’s Cabinet’ which was gleefully published as propaganda by Parliament...
For some reason there’s been a time slip and a WWII RAF ops room map has ended up in Charles I’d dining room...
In reality there were few detailed maps in the 1600s and nothing of that complexity. John Speed’s county maps were nowhere as detailed for example...
In reality there were few detailed maps in the 1600s and nothing of that complexity. John Speed’s county maps were nowhere as detailed for example...
Charles was not arrested at Oxford as shown in the film; he surrendered to Parliament’s Scots allies (who have been completely airbrushed out of the story) at Newark who then sold him to Parliament...
Um, if this is 1646 when Charles surrendered, John Pym had died 3 years earlier in 1643... 😳
We’ve magically spun on to 1648. That was Pride’s Purge, which apparently now took place before the negotiations with Charles. And didn’t involve Colonel Pride... but did involve Cromwell and Fairfax (neither of whom were there... cue historical bunfight on his much they knew...)
Apparently NOW we’re getting the Levellers...? Is this meant to be the Corkbush Muting a year late? 😳
The trial of Charles I is the set piece of the film, and arguably the best bit. Hope @charlie_l_y is enjoying Bradshaw’s starring role... Much of the dialogue here is actually correct from the real trial, although compressed from several days...
Edward Hyde did NOT turn against the king or give evidence at his trial. There were about 30 witnesses against Charles, but all ordinary people who testified in private session as to him declaring war or carrying out alleged war crimes...
Fairfax was named as one of the commissioners to try the King but didn’t turn up, as did about half on the 130 named. Only 59 of them would sign the death warrant against Charles...
Nor was Cromwell the first to sign the King’s death warrant; John Bradshaw as the presiding judge was first, Lord Grey as the only member of the Lords present was second; Cromwell was third...
Charles’ emotional farewell to two of his youngest children is a faithful depiction of y to he event. Whatever mag be said of Charles, he was a deeply devout and brave man who went to his death with a great deal of dignity. The second shirt against the cold is also true...
