Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658)
An English Statesman, who ruled as Lord Protector from 1653 to 1658
Feb 21, 2009
Oliver Cromwell was born on 25th April 1599 in Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire. His family was minor gentry. He studied at Cambridge University and became the MP for Huntingdon in Parliament from 1628-1629.
In the 1630s, Cromwell experienced a religious crisis and became convinced he would be guided to carry out God's purpose. He began to make his name as a radical Puritan when, in 1640, he was elected to represent Cambridge first in the short Parliament and then in the long Parliament.
English Civil War
Civil war broke out between Charles I and Parliament in 1642. Cromwell lacked military experience but created and led a superb force of cavalry, known as the Ironsides and rose from the rank of captain to lieutenant-general in three years. He convinced Parliament to establish a professional army,the New Model Army, and won a decisive victory over the king's forces at Naseby in 1645.
The king's alliance with the Scots and the subsequent defeat convinced Cromwell the king must be brought to justice. He was a prime mover in the trial and execution of Charles I in 1649.
Cromwell became army commander and lord lieutenant of Ireland. Here, he crushed resistance with the massacres of garrisons at Drogheda and Wexford in 1649. He then defeated the supporters of the king's son, Charles II at Dunbar in 1650 and Worcester in 1651, effectively bringing to an end the civil war.
Lord Protector
In 1653, frustrated with the lack of progress. Cromwell dissolved the rump of the long Parliament and after the failure of a Puritan convention (Barebones Parliament) made himself Lord Protector. In 1657 he refused the offer of the crown.
At home, Cromwell reorganised the national church and established Puritanism. He readmitted Jews into Britain and presided over a certain degree of religious tolerance. Abroad, he ended the war with Portugal in 1653 and with Holland in 1654. He also allied with France against Spain, defeating the Spanish at the Battle of the Dunes in 1658.
Cromwell died on 3rd September 1658 in London. After the Restoration, his body was dug up and hanged.
Cromwell's son Richard was named as his successor and was lord protector of England from September 1658 to May 1659. He was forced to abdicate after the restoration of the monarchy.
Cromwell was a statesman and soldier who helped make England a republic. Refusing the offer of the crown, he became the Lord Protector and enjoyed victories in Europe as well as at home.
Source:
www.bbc.co.uk
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