Crofts (Master), the person killed in a duel by Sir Geofrey Hudson, the famous dwarf.—Sir W. Scott, Peveril of the Peak (time, Charles II.).
Croker's Mare. In the proverb As coy as Croker's Mare. This means "as chary as a mare that carries crockery."
She was to them as koy as a croker's Mare,
J. Heywood, Dialogue ii. 1 (1566).
Crokers. Potatoes are so called because they were first planted in Croker's field, at Youghal, in Ireland.—J. R. Planche, Recollections, etc. ii. 119.
Crom'well (Oliver), introduced by Sir W. Scott in Woodstock. Cromwell's daughter Elizabeth, who married John Claypole. Seeing her father greatly agitated by a portrait of Charles I., she gently and lovingly led him away out of the room.—Sir W. Scott, Woodstock (time, Commonwealth).
Cromwell is called by the Preacher Burroughs "the archangel who did battle with the devil."
Cromwell's Lucky Day. The 3rd September was considered by Oliver Cromwell to be his red-letter day. On the 3rd September, 1650, he won the battle of Dunbar; on 3rd September, 1651, he won the battle of Worcester; and on 3rd September, 1658, he died. It is not, however, true that he was born on 3rd September, as many affirm, for his birthday was 25th April, 1599.
Cromwell's Dead Body Insulted. Cromwell's dead body was, by the sanction, if not by the express order of Charles II., taken from its grave, exposed on a gibbet, and finally buried under the gallows.
