Cromwell’s third son, Richard, had in 1653…
September 1658 CE
Cromwell’s third son, Richard, had in 1653 been passed over as a member of Barebone's Parliament, although his younger brother Henry was a member of it.
When his father was made Lord Protector in the same year, he was also not given any public role; however, he had been elected to both the first and second Protectorate parliaments.
Under the Protectorate’s constitution, Oliver Cromwell had been required to nominate a successor, and from 1657 he has involved Richard much more heavily in the politics of the regime.
Richard had been present at the second installation of his father as Lord Protector in June, having played no part in the first installation.
He had been appointed Chancellor of Oxford University in July, and in December had been made a member of the Council of State.
Oliver Cromwell dies on September 3, 1658, and Richard is informed on the same day that he is to succeed him.
Some controversy surrounds the succession.
A letter by John Thurloe suggests that Oliver nominated his son orally on August 30, but other theories claim either that he nominated no successor, or that he put forward Charles Fleetwood, his son-in-law.