ABSTRACT
This chapter links directly from the Iretons as kin of Cromwell to consider the Fleetwoods, as Charles Fleetwood, in June 1652, married Ireton's widow, Bridget, Cromwell's daughter. The initial focus is on Cromwell's daughter, Bridget, and the dedication to her of a pamphlet of 1651 supporting the regicide by the radical millenarian Mary Cary and in 1654 the dedication to her of another text by a Particular Baptist connected to those radicals favoured in Ireland by her new husband, Fleetwood. In 1656, Sarah Wight, linked to radical Baptists, had a dedication in one of her works to Bridget. Bridget was also approached by one of her kin for help in promoting one of his schemes with regard to tree planting. There follows a brief consideration of Fleetwood's career to 1651 for the context of his relationship with Cromwell and Cromwell's son, Henry, before looking at the circumstances of his marriage to Cromwell's daughter, Bridget, widow of Ireton, seen by some as a way for Cromwell to advance his own political and family interests, including financially.
