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Cromwell, Scotland and the oak tree escape

Study note

Not everyone accepted the execution of Charles I. The Scots in particular had not agreed to it, and they responded by declaring his son to be the new king, Charles II. He was crowned in Scotland and led a Scottish army south into England to try to win back the throne.

The attempt failed. Oliver Cromwell defeated Charles II's Scottish forces at the Battles of Dunbar and Worcester. After the defeat at Worcester, Charles II had to flee for his life. On one famous occasion during his escape he hid in an oak tree to avoid capture, before eventually managing to get away to safety in Europe.

The republic did not long survive Cromwell himself. When Oliver Cromwell died, his son Richard Cromwell took over as Lord Protector, but he proved unable to control either the army or the government. As a result, more and more people began to wish for the return of a king. For the test, remember the defeats at Dunbar and Worcester, the oak tree escape, and that Richard Cromwell briefly followed his father.

Memory tip: Charles II beaten at Dunbar and Worcester, hides in an oak tree, flees to Europe.

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Question 1 of 4

Whom did Cromwell defeat at the Battles of Dunbar and Worcester?

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Show all questions and answers for Cromwell, Scotland and the oak tree escape(4 questions with explanations)

Cromwell, Scotland and the oak tree escape: questions, answers and explanations

  1. 1. Whom did Cromwell defeat at the Battles of Dunbar and Worcester?

    • King Harold
    • Charles II and his Scottish army
    • The Vikings
    • The Spanish Armada

    Correct answer: Charles II and his Scottish army

    Cromwell defeated Charles II's Scottish army at Dunbar and Worcester.

  2. 2. After his defeat at Worcester, in what did Charles II famously hide?

    • A church
    • An oak tree
    • A ship
    • A castle

    Correct answer: An oak tree

    Charles II famously hid in an oak tree before fleeing to Europe.

  3. 3. Who briefly became Lord Protector after Oliver Cromwell died?

    • Richard Cromwell
    • James II
    • William of Orange
    • Charles II

    Correct answer: Richard Cromwell

    Oliver Cromwell's son Richard became Lord Protector but could not hold power.

  4. 4. Britain was a republic for 11 years before the monarchy was restored.

    • True
    • False

    Correct answer: True

    True. Britain was a republic for about 11 years before the Restoration.

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