Borrowed Time

This chapter turns to developments after late 1644, when military failures placed Oliver Cromwell in a difficult position with both the public and Parliament. It chronicles the attempts of Cromwell and his fellow military leaders in allaying public anger against their ill-fated campaigns. Furthermore, the chapter discusses the Self-Denying Ordinance, a draft piece of legislation that would bar all members of either House from holding military or civil offices conferred by Parliament, for the duration of the war. At a stroke, this would sweep Cromwell and his colleagues out of the army, terminating their quarrels and making way for a new set of generals, commanding a new, consolidated, field army. Additionally, the chapter explores two interim campaigns: one to West Country, where Cromwell would disrupt royalist preparations for the campaigning season there; and another to the Midlands, even as the Self-Denying Ordinance was finally passed.