Oliver Cromwell

Oliver Cromwell banned various forms of entertainment during his rule as Lord Protector of England (1653-1658) due to his Puritan beliefs, which emphasized strict moral conduct and piety. He viewed activities like theater, dancing, and festivities as distractions from religious devotion and potentially sinful. Cromwell aimed to create a more austere society that aligned with his interpretation of Christian values, leading to restrictions on activities that he considered frivolous or immoral.

While it's difficult to quantify the exact number of people Oliver Cromwell personally killed, his military campaigns during the English Civil War and subsequent actions in Ireland resulted in significant loss of life. Notably, the siege of Drogheda in 1649 led to the deaths of around 3,000 soldiers and civilians. Estimates suggest that Cromwell's military actions could be linked to tens of thousands of deaths, particularly during the conquest of Ireland, but attributing a specific number directly to him is complex and debated by historians.

Yes, Oliver Cromwell was in Wiltshire, particularly during the English Civil War. He played a significant role in the conflict, and his forces campaigned in various parts of England, including Wiltshire, as they sought to defeat the Royalists. Notably, Cromwell's troops were involved in the Battle of Roundway Down near Devizes in 1643, which was a key engagement in the region.

Opinions about Oliver Cromwell in Britain have varied significantly over time. In the 17th century, he was seen by many as a champion of the Commonwealth and a defender of parliamentary power against monarchy, earning respect for his military leadership during the English Civil War. However, others viewed him as a tyrant, especially during his rule as Lord Protector, due to his authoritarian tendencies and suppression of dissent. Today, he is often regarded as a complex figure, embodying both revolutionary ideals and controversial governance.

Cromwell referred to his parliament as the "Barebones Parliament," named after one of its members, Praisegod Barebone. This parliament, convened in 1653, was characterized by its reformist agenda and aimed to establish a more godly society. It consisted mainly of members who were not traditional politicians, reflecting Cromwell's desire for a government that represented the interests of the godly and the common people. However, it was short-lived and dissolved later that year due to its inability to govern effectively.

Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who played a key role during the English Civil War and later became the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1653 until his death in 1658. He was a member of the Puritan faction, which sought to purify the Church of England of its remaining Catholic practices. Puritans believed in a strict interpretation of the Bible, personal piety, and a covenant relationship with God, emphasizing moral living and the importance of individual faith over institutional rituals. Their beliefs significantly influenced the development of Protestantism and shaped the political landscape of 17th-century England.

No, Oliver Cromwell and King Charles I never met in person. Their interactions were primarily through the political and military conflict of the English Civil War, during which Cromwell emerged as a leading figure against the monarchy. Charles I was executed in 1649, and by that time, Cromwell had already assumed significant power, further solidifying the divide between them.

King Charles I of England was captured by Oliver Cromwell's forces in 1646, during the English Civil War. After a series of defeats, he surrendered to the Scots in May 1646, who then handed him over to the English Parliament. His capture marked a significant turning point in the conflict between the monarchy and Parliament. Ultimately, Charles was tried and executed in 1649.

Under Oliver Cromwell's rule, particularly during the period of the Commonwealth (1649-1658), various activities and institutions were banned or heavily restricted. Notably, the monarchy was abolished, and the Church of England was disestablished, leading to the suppression of Anglican practices. Additionally, activities deemed immoral, such as theater performances, dancing, and certain forms of entertainment, were prohibited, reflecting Cromwell's Puritanical values.

Yes, Oliver Cromwell was a prominent leader of the Puritans during the Commonwealth period in England. He played a crucial role in the English Civil War, leading the New Model Army against the Royalists and ultimately leading to the execution of King Charles I. After the monarchy was abolished in 1649, Cromwell became the Lord Protector, ruling the country until his death in 1658, during which he implemented Puritan reforms and promoted a more austere form of governance.

Some might doubt the need for more opining about Oliver Cromwell. To this day, he has suffered a variety of split personalities at the hands of his interpreters.
In print, paint and plaster and myth he has been seen as devil incarnate, deluded fanatic, hero and man of God. That he was a perplexing character is hard to doubt. Even one of his closest comrades commented: "Cromwell will weep, howl and repent even while he doth smite you under the fifth rib." Evidence also suggests Cromwell was a man of honesty. When commissioning a portrait of himself, he told the painter: "I desire you would use all your skill to paint my picture truly like me ... warts and everything." The artist duly obliged. Reviled and revered In 1645, Cromwell's New Model Army famously destroyed the king's forces at the Battle of Naseby, then went on to put down rebellions in Wales and Scotland over the next six years. Nowhere is Cromwell's reputation more controversial than in Ireland where he was sent to put an end to almost a decade of insurrection. In September 1649, Cromwell's 12,000-strong forces stormed Drogheda, north of Dublin. HIs troops massacred nearly everyone in the garrison and the town - which Cromwell justified as the "righteous judgment of God upon these barbarous wretches". A month later Wexford suffered the same fate and both incidents, justified by the British as militarily necessary to subdue the population, still figure strongly in Irish republican history. Many also hold Cromwell responsible for the execution of Charles I in January 1649, although there were 59 signatories to the death warrant. This view is reinforced by books, paintings and prints depicting the king as a saintly martyr and Cromwell as a tyrant and regicide.
In one, a contemporary portrait of Charles I after his execution, the king sports a holy expression and a livid scar where his head has been stitched back on. Despite this opposition Cromwell established his status and authority. Supported by the army, he was appointed Lord Protector in 1653. It was a remarkable achievement for a man who had had little military experience before 1642. He consistently attributed his military success to God's will. Historians point to his courage and skill, his care in training and equipping his men and to the tight discipline he imposed.
Commemorative medals were struck as his popularity grew. This admiration was revived in the 18th and 19th centuries, when Cromwell "the great leader" was portrayed on coins and tankards. When he died in 1658 of malaria, England was prosperous and the seeds of a constitutional government had been sown. But he failed to establish a written constitution or leave a lasting system of government. Cromwell was given a truly regal funeral ceremony,costing around £60,000 - at a time when the average wage was one shilling a day. Back to square one But by the time of the restoration of the monarchy in 1661, Cromwell was again an object of hate. His body was exhumed, hung at Tyburn (Marble Arch) and later cast into a pit under the gallows. Another story says that the severed head, mounted on a pole, fell at the feet of a soldier one windy night. It is now supposedly buried at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge.
In modern times, most writers have preferred to debate whether Cromwell, good or bad, has been the product of propaganda. Their pages have helped to make up the estimated 4,000 books written about the man. Consensus of opinion remains elusive, however. And if nearly 400 years of debate have failed to settle the issue of his reputation once and for all, it seems he is destined to forever be Britain's most controversial ruler.

There is no definitive historical evidence to suggest that Oliver Cromwell was left-handed. While some portraits depict him holding a sword in his left hand, this may have been a stylistic choice by the artist. Without concrete documentation or accounts from his contemporaries, it is impossible to definitively determine Cromwell's handedness.

Nope, Oliver Cromwell and Thomas Cromwell were not related. Oliver Cromwell was a military and political leader in England during the 17th century, while Thomas Cromwell was a statesman who served as chief minister to King Henry VIII. So, no family reunion for those two!

He was a villain because:

-At Drogheda he slaughtered thousands of innocent people.

-He hated the Irish.

-When he was Lord Protector, he kept the power to himself.

-He banned christmas! :(

-He wanted people to live a puritan lifestyle (explaining why he banned Christmas, sport, drunkeness and gambling) I'm not saying puritans are bad; but banning Christmas!?

Some people think he's a hero; some think he's a villain.

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He was a villain as he committed genocide by killing his own people. He also unlawfully started a type of vote to kill Charles unlawfully. Charles was later executed on Cromwell's signature.

Many people didn't like him because he banned anything entertaining, and everyone was scared of his new model army.

People called Oliver Cromwell greedy when he refused the crown because they believed that he wanted to hold absolute power and feared that he would become a dictator. They saw his refusal as a strategic move to consolidate power and gain more control over the government. Additionally, Cromwell was known for his ambition and desire for power, which further fueled these beliefs.

Was he?

He's certainly unpopular in Ireland, for understandable reasons. I imagine the Scots aren't too enamoured of him either. But in England he's held in remarkably high esteem for a killjoy and regicide who ended up on a spike.

Cromwell waged war sometimes brutally, as was the fashion of his time . He ruled autocratically, but that was no more than Charles I had tried to do, and Cromwell refused the throne that was contrary to his values. He provided a decade of mostly peaceful government after the trauma of a civil war not of his making, and the Parliament that he sometimes treated with contempt mostly deserved little better. And remarkably he left England stronger than it had been.

A bad person? A bit dull, probably, and too much the warrior of God for the liking of most today. But he was faithful to his principles, even if he wasn't much of a party animal.

Oliver Cromwell is believed to have died of a combination of maleria and urinary infection.

There is a link below for more information.

Depending on what your crime was, your punishment would vary the main ones would be things such as:

Fines (price varies depending on crime)

Being whipped

Put in the stocks

Sent to prison

The Scottish people hated Oliver Cromwell for several reasons. Firstly, he defeated the Scottish army during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, leading to the occupation and repression of Scotland by English forces. Additionally, Cromwell's religious policies, such as the abolition of the Presbyterian Church in Scotland, were viewed as oppressive and a threat to Scottish identity and autonomy. Finally, Cromwell's authoritarian rule and disregard for Scottish political institutions and traditions further fueled resentment towards him.

Oliver Cromwell considered England under Charles I as autocratic, corrupt, and oppressive. He believed that Charles I ruled with absolute power, disregarding the rights and liberties of the people. Cromwell saw the government as highly corrupt, favoring the wealthy and aristocrats, and oppressing the commoners.

He overthrew Charles I for the Puritans I think

Opinions on whether Oliver Cromwell was a selfish person vary. Some argue that he was motivated by personal ambition and pursued his own interests at the expense of others. Others argue that he genuinely believed in his cause and fought for the betterment of his nation. Ultimately, whether he was selfish or not depends on one's interpretation of his actions and motives.