Interior scene depicting Oliver Cromwell (champion of the Protestant cause in Catholic Europe), John Milton (poet) and Andrew Marvell (poet and secretary), composing a letter to Louis XIV of France, protesting at the massacre of the Vaudois (Swiss) Protestants by the Duke of Savoy. Cromwell dictates his dispatch to Milton, who translates it into Latin for his secretary, Marvell. The scene takes place in Milton's house. In the right foreground is Cromwell, dressed in armour and long boots, sitting on the edge of a heavy wooden table ornamented with carving. He is twisting round to face the other two figures behind him. In his left hand is a small sheet of paper and his right hand points at a map spread out on the table. Partially obscured by Cromwell's right arm is the figure of Marvell sitting in front of a large fireplace.