Who is Oliver Cromwell?

Are you interested in learning more about one of the most controversial figures in British history? Oliver Cromwell, also known as Lord Protector, was an important figure and statesman. But people weren’t too fond of him.

Exploring the full life of Oliver Cromwell

Oliver Cromwell was born in 1599 in Huntingdon, England. He was a soldier, and he is often named one of the most important political figures and statesmen in English history. Of course, the majority of people know him as Lord Protector, which was his official title between 1653 and 1658 when he died.

He was educated at Sidney Sussex College in Cambridge with a significant Puritan ethos, married Elizabeth Bourchier, led the parliamentary invasion and New Model Army, and was appointed by Sir Thomas Fairfax.

Cromwell also fought Protestant Royalists, and Scottish troops, owned several properties in Ely, was a member of Parliament, Eastern Association, and so on. During his life, he briefly lived in St Ives, and he made important links with members of the House of Lords and House of Commons (as well as Henry VIII, thanks to Thomas Cromwell).

Cromwell was seen as a controversial figure, and he was posthumously executed in 1661 after Charles II returned to the throne during the Stuart Restoration in 1660 (Scots supported Charles II).

It is believed that he died from sepsis, but he was hanged at Tyburn three years after he died. Cromwell’s body was thrown into the pit, and his head was cut off and placed on a pole in front of the Tower of London. After changing several owners, his head was finally buried in 1960.

Oliver Cromwell’s major accomplishments and rise to power in the British society

Cromwell’s rise to prominence started during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. These were a series of conflicts between 1639 and 1653. The three kingdoms the war refers to are England, Scotland, and Ireland.

Oliver Cromwell started as a senior commander fighting for the Parliamentarian army (supporters of the Parliament of England), after which he started acting as a politician. He was also one of the leading advocates for the execution of King Charles I. And after Charles I was beheaded, the Protectorate was established, with Cromwell as Lord Protector.

After Charles’ death warrant and execution, the country was run by the Council of State (appointed by the Rump Parliament) before Cromwell stepped in.

He used the military to gain power, continue ruling, and lead a brutal Irish campaign in 1649. Cromwell’s most important battles include Gainsborough, Marston Moor, Sack of Wexford, Preston, Worcester, Cambridgeshire, Siege of Drogheda, Naseby, East Anglia, Dunbar, etc.

Popular books about Oliver Cromwell

If you are interested in learning more about this controversial figure, you can find numerous books about Oliver Cromwell. Many writers and historians explored his life and the events that led to his beheading in the 17th century.

These books explore how one man went from being a Lieutenant-General of Horse, over Commander-in-Chief, to becoming the most powerful man in the Commonwealth.

Cromwell: Our Chief of Men by Antonia Fraser

Cromwell, Our Chief of Men is a biography written by Antonia Fraser. The book was published in 1973, and the title comes from a John Milton poem. The goal of the book was to show Cromwell as a powerful leader of the country and to rehabilitate his reputation.

But at the same time, Fraser never tried to gloss over his flaws and obvious mistakes (violence, massacres, battles against Catholics, etc.). She notes that Cromwell believed himself to be chosen by God, and he claimed to rule in God’s providence.

Oliver Cromwell: God’s Warrior and the English Revolution by Barry Coward

An interesting addition to the history of Britain comes from Ian Gentles, and it is one of the newest books about Cromwell. His book named Oliver Cromwell: God’s Warrior and the English Revolution came out in 2011.

What is great about Gentles’ book is that he explores private aspects of Cromwell’s life and topics that haven’t been covered before. He also provides an in-depth story, and it is quite original. It is not often you encounter such a tale that isn’t borrowed from previous historians.

Cromwell: The Lord Protector by Antonia Fraser

Cromwell: The Lord Protector by Antonia Fraser is a detailed and compelling biography of Oliver Cromwell, one of the most influential figures in English history. It provides an in-depth look at Cromwell’s life, from his humble beginnings as a cloth merchant to his rise to power as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland. The book covers Cromwell’s military and political career, his religious beliefs, and his relationships with his family and contemporaries. Fraser also examines Cromwell’s legacy, including his impact on the British monarchy, parliament, and the British Isles as a whole.

Oliver Cromwell: The Essential Writings edited by John Morrill

John Morrill is a British historian, and his primary focus is on politicians, early modern history, political history, Oliver Cromwell and the English Revolution.

In Oliver Cromwell: The Essential Writings, Morrill explores the time during the English Civil War and all the events that lead to it. He also offers a new perspective on Cromwell and his role in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. Just keep in mind that this book is a bit older, and you might have trouble finding it in your local bookstore.

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FAQ

What was Oliver Cromwell accused of?

Oliver Cromwell was accused of high treason after his death, which led to his beheading and all the events that followed his posthumous execution when he was exhumed from Westminster Abbey. Additionally, Cromwell was one of the main people in charge of regicide.

What was Oliver Cromwell’s cause of death?

It is believed that Cromwell suffered from malaria and kidney stone disease, and he died of blood poisoning (sepsis) caused by a urinary infection in the Palace of Whitehall.

Why did Oliver Cromwell call himself Lord Protector?

The Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland, also known as the Protectorate, was created after the execution of Charles I, and the territories were governed by Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland or simply Oliver Cromwell. The Protectorate lasted between 1653 and 1659.

He sat on King Edward’s Chair at Westminster Hall when he was ceremonially re-installed as Lord Protector in 1657. Oliver Cromwell was succeeded by his son Richard Cromwell who was the second and last Lord Protector.