Ally on Oliver Cromwell

Oliver Cromwell, 1599-1658 (Ally Leedy)

Oliver Cromwell, by Robert Walker, National Portrait Gallery, London

Oliver Cromwell—a man of many nobilities and significant honor—began his life as a simple country gentleman when he was born to his parents Robert Cromwell and Elizabeth Steward in 1599. His life of fame and glory began in 1628 when he was elected for Parliament in England at the mere age of 27 under the rule of King Charles I. This position as a statesman helped Cromwell form his own perspective on what a government should look like and how people should behave. Through this realization, he became a highly-outspoken Puritan; and because of his views, he was re-elected into Parliament in 1640. However, a couple years after his election, in 1642, a Civil War broke out of England—primarily between religions but there were other reasons as well. By the time the war broke out, he was a middle-aged man that had no military training whatsoever with five children and a wife to care for. Up until that point, even though he was a statesman, he was almost and average joe. However, after that point, things changed for him; and his life took a completely different turn. He began to help organize fleets of armies for the war which got him involved in the atmosphere of war. On January 14, 1645, he became the deputy commander of the “New Model Army” of which decimated the main Royalist force at the Battle of Naseby against King Charles I and his army. However, the King and his troops surrendered and not long after, the King died. After the King’s death, Cromwell served in the Rump Parliament and set out to reform part of the legal system through the Blue Laws. Cromwell’s power and authority stemmed from his military ability and his unique relationships with his troops, whom he called his “Ironsides.” He always led the cavalry from the front which led to a lot of injuries. Later in the year of 1645 after the King’s death, he pushed for the formation of a standing army with central funding and central direction, of which, after being passed, still stands today. He commanded campaigns in England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales throughout the late 1650s and was known as their “lord protector” from 1653 until he passed in 1658. After Cromwell’s King-like reign ended, the licentious Restoration Period began with King Charles II in 1660 and lasted through 1680. That goes to show that Cromwell really did make a difference in the people’s judgements of how they should be lead.

Main source:http://www.history.com/topics/british-history/oliver-cromwell