Three shepherds. Walking the hills late at night. They all heard it.
The distant beating of a drum. Growing louder. The unmistakable sound of an approaching army.
The shepherds stood and waited. Expecting to see the troops soon appear over the hill. And still the drums grew louder. And still no soldiers came.
Then came the screaming. Of men in agony. In their last moments on Earth. And now the horses’ hooves. And the clash of sword on armour.
And still the drums beat on. Louder still until they seemed to circle the three men.
The shepherds ran. But as they ran, they saw in the sky...
A horrific scene of men and horses. Fighting to the death.
The next night, a local priest joined the shepherds in a night-time vigil on the hills. He stood in stricken prayer as again the drums began to sound. The screaming started. And the battle once more commenced in the sky.
The four men were in no doubt.
What they were witnessing was a phantom re-enactment of the first battle of the English Civil War: the Battle of Edgehill.
The Battle of Edgehill - fought nightly in the sky
Which had taken place in those very fields just two months earlier. Between Cromwell’s Roundheads and Charles I’s Cavaliers.
For two weeks, the nightly battle between the spectral armies played out. News of the apparitions reached Charles I, who sent a Royal Commission to investigate.
The commission included officers who had fought in the battle.
As they stood in the field that night, the officers recognised fallen comrades, and were forced to watch them die a second time.
Including the king’s standard bearer, Sir Edmund Verney.
(Verney’s body was never identified, except for his severed hand which was found still grasping the standard).
To try and stop the apparitions, local villagers gave Christian burials to the corpses that still lay on the battlefield. It worked - to a degree.
Three months after the battle, the sightings stopped.
For two weeks, the nightly battle between the spectral armies played out. News of the apparitions reached Charles I, who sent a Royal Commission to investigate.
The commission included officers who had fought in the battle.
As they stood in the field that night, the officers recognised fallen comrades, and were forced to watch them die a second time.
Including the king’s standard bearer, Sir Edmund Verney.
(Verney’s body was never identified, except for his severed hand which was found still grasping the standard).
To try and stop the apparitions, local villagers gave Christian burials to the corpses that still lay on the battlefield. It worked - to a degree.
Three months after the battle, the sightings stopped.
A memorial to the Battle of Edgehill
Yet to this day, they say terrible sounds continue to haunt the site of the battle.
Screams of injured men. Canon fire. Galloping hooves...
Can still sometimes be heard at night, particularly around the anniversary of the battle.
The ghost of Oliver Cromwell and his army still hangs over England today. His spectre haunts the royal family. A reminder of what can happen. What could happen again.
Screams of injured men. Canon fire. Galloping hooves...
Can still sometimes be heard at night, particularly around the anniversary of the battle.
The ghost of Oliver Cromwell and his army still hangs over England today. His spectre haunts the royal family. A reminder of what can happen. What could happen again.
Whatever your view on ghosts…Today, on Cromwell’s 425th birthday, I’m offering you a very real piece of Cromwell history.
An object that brings the ethereal nature of the past into the tangible present.
An Oliver Cromwell signed letter from 1650
Hugely impressive. Look how well Cromwell's signature stands out
Letters from Oliver Cromwell are scarce.
Only three letters from the first 40 years of Cromwell's life exist.
And most later signed documents are in museums or university archives.
This is one of the few that isn't.
And what's more...
It's one of the finest Oliver Cromwell signatures I've ever handled.
Only three letters from the first 40 years of Cromwell's life exist.
And most later signed documents are in museums or university archives.
This is one of the few that isn't.
And what's more...
It's one of the finest Oliver Cromwell signatures I've ever handled.
Signed by the same hand that signed the death warrant of King Charles ICromwell's signature is bold and prominently placed. It's a large, clear autograph of the highest quality.
The name 'Cromwell' leaps off the page at you.
When he later became Lord Protectorate in 1653, Cromwell signed as 'Oliver P' - with the "P" standing for "Protectorate".
Which makes this form of his autograph even scarcer.
And to my mind, far more desirable.
This is a large, impressive letter in superb condition.
It measures 7.3 by 11.4 inches (18.5 by 29 cm): a perfect size for display.
And it remains wonderfully intact after 374 years, with only folds, toning and minor paper loss.
The name 'Cromwell' leaps off the page at you.
When he later became Lord Protectorate in 1653, Cromwell signed as 'Oliver P' - with the "P" standing for "Protectorate".
Which makes this form of his autograph even scarcer.
And to my mind, far more desirable.
This is a large, impressive letter in superb condition.
It measures 7.3 by 11.4 inches (18.5 by 29 cm): a perfect size for display.
And it remains wonderfully intact after 374 years, with only folds, toning and minor paper loss.
The signature of the only man of non-royal blood to have ruled EnglandAs with almost all letters of this period, a secretary handwrote the content - likely with Cromwell dictating.
It's so timely
The document is dated 14 February 1650.
In the middle of the English civil war.
And just one year earlier in 1649...
The same hand that signed this page signed the death warrant of Charles I.
The content is significant
Cromwell writes to Sir John Woollaston, the Treasurer at War.
Cromwell orders Woollaston to pay the men in the New Model Army cavalry regiment.
This is the new army Cromwell himself set up. Creating the framework for today's British army.
The New Model Army is one of Cromwell's greatest achievements. And here he is, in this letter, writing about it. That's the kind of content you dream of as a collector.
It's so timely
The document is dated 14 February 1650.
In the middle of the English civil war.
And just one year earlier in 1649...
The same hand that signed this page signed the death warrant of Charles I.
The content is significant
Cromwell writes to Sir John Woollaston, the Treasurer at War.
Cromwell orders Woollaston to pay the men in the New Model Army cavalry regiment.
This is the new army Cromwell himself set up. Creating the framework for today's British army.
The New Model Army is one of Cromwell's greatest achievements. And here he is, in this letter, writing about it. That's the kind of content you dream of as a collector.
Oliver Cromwell's statue haunts the Houses of Parliament today
Oliver Cromwell is:
This is a key autograph for English history collectors.
And one of the finest Oliver Cromwell signed documents you can possibly own.
Major pieces like this do not appear on the market often.
I've offered fewer than five in my whole career.
Take this opportunity.
- The man who signed King Charles I’s death warrant
- The man who transformed Britain into a republic for 11 years
- And who almost succeeded in destroying the British monarchy forever
This is a key autograph for English history collectors.
And one of the finest Oliver Cromwell signed documents you can possibly own.
Major pieces like this do not appear on the market often.
I've offered fewer than five in my whole career.
Take this opportunity.
For a document and a signer of such importance, I'm able to offer it to you for an attractive price.
Own it now for just £9,995 ($12,500).
Buy now on +44 (0)1534 639 998.
I have personally authenticated the document and Cromwell's signature.
That's why, for your complete peace of mind, you get my Lifetime Moneyback Guarantee and my personal Certificate of Authenticity when you buy.
And delivery is completely free and fully insured. To any address in the World.
Remember:
- This is a historic document of the highest order.
- Signed by one of the most notorious figures in English history.
- Opportunities to own Oliver Cromwell's autograph are rare.
Until next time,
Paul Fraser
PS. To misquote Dickens: May this ghostly little autograph haunt your house pleasantly.
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