Cromwell, Puritans and the Jews

structure 1. Short Introduction on Puritanism



2. Oliver Cromwell



3. Cromwell and the Jews



4. The Puritans of New England and Judaism Universität Leipzig
Institut für Anglistik
Images of the Jew in English Literature
Oliver Cromwell, Puritans and the Jews
Prof. Schenkel
Claudia Heep
30.06.2011 Short Introduction on Puritanism english protestant group of 16th/17th century purity of worship and doctrine / minimum of ritual and decoration personal interpretation of bible fundamentally anti-Catholic against episcopacy (head of church=Christ) under Mary I fled from her relentless prosecution of protestants under Elizabeth I returned from their exile during her protestant restoration under Charles I Roman-Catholic wife
bishop William Laud
alliance with Scottish Presbyterians
(one factor for first Civil War) radical change after restoration of monarchy original character retained longer in New England three educational institutions wiht puritan reputation Oliver Cromwell *25th April 1599 Huntingdon, Cambridge studied at Sidney Sussex College personal crisis during late 1620s/early 1630s (depression) spirutual awakening - agenda of godly reformation long parliamentary career armed conflict between Parliament and Charles I first Civil War (1642) failure to reach agreement second Civil War (1648) execution of Charles I 30th Jan. 1649 Commonwealth of England Irish campaign, Scottish campaign, Union of kingdoms healing and settling +spiritual and moral reform encouraged Jews to come back to England declined crown in 1657 suffered from malaria and kindney stones died of Sepsis 3rd September 1658 Richard Cromwell no power base forced to resign in 1659 restoration of monarchy Charles II made king in 1660 posthumous execution of Cromwell different reputations saviour vs. tyrant adopted into popular culture plays novels films "Cromwell" by Victor Hugo "The Morganville Vampires" by Rachel Caine Blackadder: "The Cavalier Years" Cromwell and the Jews great-hearted Protector not purely for economic reasons protestant millenarianism + Jewish messianism Philosemitism Puritan interest in Hebrew language and religious literature Menasseh ben Israel support from England petition on "behalf" of Hebrew nation" rabbi from Amsterdam (originally from Portugal) ultimate goal never reached crypto Jewish community Marranos Jews posing as Spanish tradesmen profited from Cromwell's favourable attitude saviour of anglo-jewish community Charles II also in favour of Jewish community preserved priviliges no full emancipation until 1858 The Puritans of New England and Judaism bible = ultimate source of knowledge (especially Old Testament) strong association with Jewish themes tendency to take bible literally colonies = New Israel Hebrew bible = guide in world without existing law official acts determined by Jewish scripture place names from Hebraic sources + children's names from Jewish saints Jewish concepts taken over into everyday life e.g. Sabbath first Thanksgiving similar to Jewish Sukkot habits like fasting before uncertain ventures kept until 1800 Sources Coulton, Barbara. "Cromwell and the ‘readmission’ of the Jews to England, 165." Oilver Cromwell. Web.
27 June 2011. <http://www.olivercromwell.org/jews.pdf>.


Fogelman, Hugh. "Puritans Were More Jewish than Protestants." Latest Articles. 25 July 2010. Web. 27
June 2011. <http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2558494/posts>.


"Oliver Cromwell." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 21 June 2011. Web. 24 June 2011.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Cromwell>.


"Puritan." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. 26 June 2011. Web. 27 June 2011.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puritan>. Thank you for your attention!