Oliver Cromwell

25 April 1599 in Huntingdonshire-3 September 1658.

Oliver Cromwell was leader of the New Model Army and a staunch Parliamentarian. He fought against Charles I and was also involved in the trial against him and his execution in 1649. 1653, Cromwell became Lord Protector of the Commonwealth.

Oliver Cromwell has left distinct impressions on the people of the British Isles. Many consider him the saviour from Stuart tyranny and celebrate the religious freedom he guaranteed, others, especially the Irish, remember him as a relentless person who brutally crushed rebellions slaughtering many inhabitants.

Cromwell was a man of a humble background who lived the first 40 years of his life in obscurity as a farmer and businessman. He studied at Cambridge University for one year before the death of his father urged him to return to Huntingdon. Cromwell became MP in the Parliament of 1628-1629.

When Charles I dissolved Parliament in 1629 Cromwell returned to Huntingdon, where he experienced a spiritual crisis. The puritan beliefs he acquired in the 1630s had a great impact on his life. As a follower of Puritanism he distanced himself from the conventions and rituals of the Church of England (which Puritans deemed superstitious remnants of Catholicism) and was convinced of being spiritually guided and carrying out God’s will. His knowledge that God had a plan for him and for England had an important influence on his later politics.

He began to gain a nationwide reputation when he was elected MP first in the Short Parliament and then in the Long Parliament (1640). In 1642 civil war broke out between Parliament and Charles I, who was supported by a powerful army and the established Church. Despite not having any military experience Cromwell was soon made lieutenant-general of the Parliamentarian Army due to his extraordinary skills in battle. In 1645 Cromwell and his New Model Army won a decisive victory and defeated the Royalists at Naseby.

After the Second Civil War, in which Charles I allied with the Scots, Cromwell was convinced that the King should be prosecuted. In 1649 Charles I was found guilty and sentenced to death. The warrant was signed by Cromwell, amongst others. In 1650 Cromwell landed in Ireland to suppress rebellions. He restored order by infamously slaughtering the Irish in Drogheda and Wexford. By defeating supporters of Charles II at Dunbar (1650) and Worcester (1651) Cromwell successfully put an end to the civil war.

In 1653 he dissolved Parliament and accepted office as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland. As Lord Protector he successfully captured Jamaica (1655) and allied with France to fight Spain. He encouraged the Jews to return to England after they had been expelled by Edward I. He is also famous for refusing the offer of kingship in 1657.

After Cromwell’s death in 1658 his son Richard Cromwell failed in succeeding him and resigned in 1659. The Restoration of the monarchy took place in 1660. Charles II was intent on moving on from the dissensions of the Civil War. Nevertheless, he prosecuted the Regicides, who had signed the death warrant against his father. Thus, Cromwell's corpse was disinterred and publicly executed.

Sources

Crespi, Alfred. "Oliver Cromwell." After Work 3 (1876): 104-108.

Morrill, John. Oliver Cromwell and the English Revolution. London: Longman, 1990.

Roots, Ivan. Cromwell: A Profile. London: Macmillan, 1973.