And he was often heard to mention out private Committe in which He was put accidentlly into the chair. upon an incolsure which had been made of great Wastes. belonging to the Queen's Manor's , without the Consent of the Tenants . the Benefit whereof had been given by the Queen to a Servant of near Trust who forthwith sold the lands inclosed to the Earl of Manchester, Lord Privy Seal; who together with his son Mandevil, were now most concerned to maintain the enclosure; against which, as well the inhabitants of other Manors, who claimed Common in those Wastes, as the Queen's Tenants of the same, made loud Complaints. as a great Oppression carried upon them with a very high Hand and supported by power.

The Committee sat in the Queen's court; and Oliver Cromwell being one of them, appeared much concernd to countenance the petitioners, who were numerous, together with their Witnesses; the lord Mandevil being likewise present as a Party, and by the Direction of the Committee, sitting covered. Cromwell (who had never before been heard to speak in the House of Commons) ordered the Witnesses, and petitioners in the Method of the Proceeding; and seconded, and enlarged upon what They said with great Passion; and the Witnesses. and Persons concerned. who were a very rude Kind of People, interrupted the Council, and Witnesses on the other Side with great Clamour. when thay said any Thing that did not please them. so that Mr. Hyde ( whose Office it was to oblige Men of all sorts to keep Order) was compelled to use some sharp Reproofs, and some Threats. to reduce them to such a Temper, that the Business might be quietly heard. Cromwell in great fury reproached the Chairman for being partial, and that He discountenanced the witnesses by threatDing them; the Other appealed to the Committee, which justified him, and declared that He behaved himself as He ought to do; which more inflamed him, who was already too much angry. When upon any Mention of Matter of fact, or the Proceeding before. and at the Inclosure, the Lord Mandevil desired to be heard, and with great Modesty related what had been done. or explained what had been said, Mr. Cromwell did answer, and reply upon him, with so much Indecency, and Rudeness, and in Language. so contrary and offensive, that every Man would have thought, that as their Natures, and their Manners were as opposite as it is possible, so their Interest could never have been the same. In the End. his whole Carriage was so tempestuous. and his Behaviour so insolent, that the Chairman found himself obliged to reprehend him; and to tell him. if He proceeded in the same Manner. He would presently adjourn the Committee; and next Morning complain to the House of him; which he never forgave; and took all Occasions afterwards to pursue him with the upmost Malice and Revenge. to his Death.

--Clarenden, Life

More Cromwell and Cambridge

Introduction
Long Parliament
Destructive Behaviour
Excerpt: Cromwell in Ely
Excerpt: Clarenden, Life
Excerpt: Parliament Orders
Excerpt: Barwick

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