Vocabulary

 

 
 
 

Video

 

 
 
 
 

Transcript

 

Cambridge, England, 1640

Elizabeth Cromwell: “You must forgive the manner of our table, Mr. Pym; our best crockery is packed for the voyage. Bridget, fetch the bread.”
Bridget Cromwell, Daughter: “Yes, mother.”

John Pym, Puritan Parliamentarian: “We had hopped to persuade to change his mind about going to America, ma’am.”
Elizabeth Cromwell: “I would have thought you knew Oliver better than that, Mr. Pym.”

Oliver Cromwell, Squire: “It was not an easy decision, John. This is my country, my land. God has been good to me.”

Henry Ireton, Parliamentarian: “Then sir, why are you leaving?”
Oliver Cromwell, Squire: “I have a family, Mr. Ireton. I owe it to my sons to make a better life for them. England is no longer a country for a young man.”

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Henry Ireton, Parliamentarian: “I recall you spoke out strongly in Parliament for the right and privileges of the common people.
Oliver Cromwell, Squire: “Ah! That was a long time ago, Mr. Ireton. I had a vision then: a great nation, prosperous, God-fearing, good laws. Strong. Respected throughout the world — that was the England I dreamed of.”

Henry Ireton, Parliamentarian: “Well sir, you are a squire now; a man of property. Perhaps you no longer care for the common people.

Perhaps, I’ve been misinformed sir. As a Puritan, you would see it as your God-given duty to do the Lord’s will in this land.”

Oliver Cromwell, Squire: “Mr. Ireton. I was fighting for the liberty of the common people when you were in knee britches.”

Henry Ireton, Parliamentarian: “Then why are you leaving?”

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Oliver Cromwell, Squire: “I am leaving because this country craws with greed and corruption. It is governed by adventurers and profiteers who think more of their pockets than their principles.

I am leaving sir, because we have a king who taxes the rich beyond its means, and steals the land from the poor to maintain his lavish courts and Catholic wife.

And when Parliament objected to these injustices, he closed his parliaments down. And now no man dares speak his mind for fear of imprisonment.

Oh yes. All my life I believed it was God’s will that I fight against such tyranny . . . but has turned His back on this nation.

And we are leaving it.”

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Henry Ireton, Parliamentarian: “And what if Parliament should be recalled, Mr. Cromwell?”

Oliver Cromwell, Squire: “And why should a king do that?”

John Pym, Parliamentarian Party Leader: “He needs money, Oliver.”
Oliver Cromwell, Squire: “Hahahaha! To build another palace?”

John Pym, Parliamentarian Party Leader: “NO. To fight a war.”

Oliver Cromwell, Squire: “A war, John? A war against whom?”

John Pym, Parliamentarian Party Leader: “The Scots have assembled an army on our border. They may invade us at any moment.

The king needs money to raise an army.”

Oliver Cromwell, Squire: “Ah! By the King’s own decree, Parliament has not sat these past twelve years . . . and now the King needs money.”

John Pym, Parliamentarian Party Leader: “Once Parliament has assembled, it lies within our power to change — the whole structure of government in this country.

Oliver Cromwell, Squire: “John, how many times did we sit in Parliament in the old days, and how many resolutions did we pass, and how many times this King overrule us?

The King can have his war with Scotland; we’ll be in America.”

Henry Ireton, Parliamentarian: “There will be a war, Mr. Cromwell. But it will not be with Scotland.”

John Pym, Parliamentarian Party Leader: “Henry!”

Oliver Cromwell, Squire: “With whom, Mr. Ireton?”

John Pym, Parliamentarian Party Leader: “Henry, we’ve argued this matter many times.”

Henry Ireton, Parliamentarian: “I’m convinced of it.”

Oliver Cromwell, Squire: “A war against whom, Mr. Ireton?!?”

Henry Ireton, Parliamentarian: “Against the King, sir.”

Oliver Cromwell, Squire: “The King?!? You mean a civil war — in England?

Hahaha. You know not the ways of this nation, Mr. Ireton. Such things do not happen here.”

Henry Ireton, Parliamentarian: “Then in my opinion, it is long overdue.”

Oliver Cromwell, Squire: “I will not have such talk in my house.”

John Pym, Parliamentarian Party Leader: “It is common enough talk these days, I fear.”

Oliver Cromwell, Squire: “Then it is treasonable talk — and I will not have it. In my house.”

Henry Ireton, Parliamentarian: “What about the time you were much against the King and not feared to say so.”

Oliver Cromwell, Squire: “In truth, there is much in this King that offends me; but I would not take up arms against him, and I would oppose any move to do so.”

Henry Ireton, Parliamentarian: “In such a cause, our swords would be in God’s hands.”

Oliver Cromwell, Squire: “Haha, that’s nothing, Mr. Ireton; every man who wages war believes God is on his side. How often God wonders who is on His.

Good evening, sir.”

Henry Ireton, Parliamentarian: “Oliver, I give you offense, sir, I beg your pardon.”

Oliver Cromwell, Squire: “You’re a young man, Mr. Ireton. It is fitting a young man should want to change the world.”

Henry Ireton, Parliamentarian: “Not the world sir — only England.

Oliver Cromwell, Squire: “With a civil war?”

Henry Ireton, Parliamentarian: “Good evening, Mrs. Cromwell.”
Elizabeth Cromwell: “Good evening, Mr. Ireton.”

John Pym, Parliamentarian: “I hope you’ll forgive him.”

Oliver Cromwell, Squire: “Good bye, John.”
John Pym, Parliamentarian: “God be with you, Oliver.”

 

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Questions

 

Monarch, King, Queen, Emperor. John Pym and Henry Ireton came to a restaurant to have a meal. True o false?

Princess, Prince. Oliver Cromwell was anxious to have a vacation in France. Is this right or wrong?

Nobility, Lord, Lady, Duke, Earl, Baron. Is Cromwell a patriot or traitor? Does he love, like, dislike or hate England, in the middle, or has mixed feelings?

Clergy, Bishop, Cardinal, Priest. Does Cromwell respect, admire and envy Kings, Queens, princes and princesses; and despise peasants?

Yeoman, Squire. Cromwell plans to settle in America because dislikes English fashions, climate, and cuisine.

Merchant, Trader. Were Cromwell, Pym and other Parliamentarians passive, obsequious and sycophantic to the king of England?

Artisan, Craftsman. The king wants to recall Parliament because he had become more enlightened and just. Is this correct or incorrect?

Peasant, Farmer, Farm worker. Ireton believes England should invade and conquer France. Do you agree?

Serf, Slave. Is Cromwell a jingoist? Is he a warmonger?
 
 
 
Poor, Lower Class. Are you familiar with Oliver Cromwell and the English Civil War?

Lower-Middle Class, Working Class. Is corruption, profiteering, greed widespread?

Middle Class. Which nations are “role models” in terms of freedom, human rights, equality and justice?

Upper Middle Class. What might happen in the future?

Upper Class, Rich, Wealthy. How can there be more freedom, justice, rule of law?