Oliver Cromwell: Saint or Serpent?

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infoWhy this? Oliver Cromwell’s career illuminates the civil wars, regicide, republican government, religious conflict, and contested authority that transformed seventeenth-century Britain and Ireland. Contrasting portrayals of Cromwell as a defender of liberty, religious reformer, or military dictator enable us to test interpretations against his actions and their consequences.

scheduleWhy now? The unit follows Tudor disputes over monarchy and religion into a period when those tensions intensified into civil war and the temporary abolition of the monarchy. It also advances the interpretive work begun in the Black Tudors enquiry and provides context for England’s expanding power overseas.

Oliver Cromwell (1599–1658) was a leading figure in the English Civil Wars, a military commander, and later became Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland.
Cromwell was originally a Member of Parliament (MP) for Huntingdon and later for Cambridge.
He rose to prominence as a commander in the Parliamentarian New Model Army during the English Civil Wars (1642–1651).
Cromwell played a key role in the defeat of Royalist forces and the execution of King Charles I in 1649.
After the abolition of the monarchy, England became a republic known as the Commonwealth (1649–1660), with Cromwell eventually ruling as Lord Protector from 1653 until his death in 1658.
Whether Cromwell was a military dictator is contested: he forcibly dissolved the Rump Parliament and later ruled through Major-Generals, but he also governed under the Instrument of Government, summoned Protectorate Parliaments, and rejected the crown.
Cromwell's religious beliefs were Puritan, and he sought to promote a 'godly' society.
Cromwell allowed a degree of religious toleration for Protestant groups such as Independents and Baptists, but was hostile to Catholics and some Anglicans.
Cromwell's rule in Ireland was marked by brutal military campaigns, including the sieges of Drogheda and Wexford, resulting in significant civilian casualties.
Cromwell's legacy is highly controversial: some view him as a champion of liberty and Parliament, while others see him as a tyrant and regicide.
After his death, the monarchy was restored in 1660, and Cromwell's body was exhumed and posthumously executed.
The debate over whether Cromwell was truly a Parliamentarian centres on his actions in dissolving Parliament and ruling without it.
Cromwell's approach to religious freedom was limited and did not extend to all groups, especially Catholics.
Cromwell has been remembered in various ways: as a hero of liberty, a military dictator, a religious reformer, and a controversial figure in British and Irish history.

rocket_launchYou must be able to

Describe the sequence of events that led to Cromwell's rise from MP to Lord Protector, including his military and political actions.
Analyse primary and secondary sources to evaluate different interpretations of Cromwell's legacy and character.
Compare Cromwell's stated aims with his actions, particularly regarding Parliament and religious toleration.
Explain the impact of Cromwell's policies in England, Scotland, and Ireland, using specific historical examples.
Assess the extent to which Cromwell promoted religious freedom, citing evidence from his policies and actions.

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