Cromwell, Oliver

Cromwell, Oliver (1599–1658) Lord Protector of England (1653–58). A committed Puritan, Cromwell entered Parliament in 1628 and was an active critic of Charles I in the Long Parliament (1640). His tactical and organizational abilities became apparent in the first of the English Civil War, when his Ironsides helped defeat the Cavaliers at Marston Moor (1644). In 1645 he was made second in command to Sir Thomas Fairfax, and helped form the New Model Army. After a decisive victory at Naseby (1645), Cromwell emerged as the leading voice of the army faction. He favoured a compromise with Charles I, but Charles' duplicity convinced him of the need to execute the king. In the Second Civil War, he defeated the Scottish Royalists at Preston (1648). Cromwell's political influence was strengthened in Pride's purge (1648) of Parliament. The Rump Parliament pressed for Charles' execution and established the Commonwealth republic (1649). Cromwell ruthlessly suppressed opposition in Ireland, and defeated Charles II in the Third Civil War (1651). The failure of Barebone's Parliament (1653) led to the “Instrument of Government” that established the Protectorate. Cromwell became a virtual military dictator as “Lord Protector”. The Humble Petition and Advice (1657) offered Cromwell the throne, but he refused. Cromwell's expansionist foreign policy was both anti-Stuart and pro-Protestant. The Dutch Wars (1652–54) and the war (1655–58) with Spain were financially exorbitant. He was succeeded by his son Richard Cromwell.

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