Wait a second!
More handpicked essays just for you.
More handpicked essays just for you.
Historians views of oliver cromwell
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Recommended: Historians views of oliver cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English peasant who became one of the most influential, effective and controversial leaders ever to rule England. A great military leader, he ultimately overthrew the King and, for the first time, changed his country from a monarchy to a Republic. Despite the fact that he was a strong leader, Cromwell’s goal and achievement of eliminating the monarchy did not last long after his death. Oliver Cromwell was and remains a controversial figure in history, reviled by many and revered by many others. Oliver Cromwell came from humble beginnings. Although he ended up briefly ruling England, he was not born a noble. He was born on April 25, 1599, to Robert and Elizabeth Cromwell in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. He frequently visited his grandfather, who hosted parties that nobles and other important figures often attended. It is thought that these connections might have been what first landed Cromwell a spot in Parliament. He attended Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, which was very Puritan, but did not finish studying there as a result of the death of his father in 1617. He married a woman named Elisabeth Bourchier, with whom he had nine children. Cromwell was first invited to join Parliament for Huntington in 1628. He was a largely unremarkable member and did not participate much, remaining a member for a single year. He did not rejoin Parliament until 1640. By this point he had experienced a spiritual awakening and was a devout Puritan with unshakeable beliefs. This time, he was a very active member of the two Parliaments, Short and Long, of that year. Oliver Cromwell continued to steadily climb the ranks, becoming a powerful leader. He was governor of Ely, the town in which he had inherited a bi... ... middle of paper ... ...’s execution. Cromwell’s head was kept on a stake for many years after his posthumous execution. On the other hand, many others consider him a great and powerful leader who achieved what was necessary for England at the time. In fact, he was recently voted number ten in the 2003 BBC poll “100 Greatest Britons.” Whether beloved or detested, there is no doubt that Oliver Cromwell remains one of the most influential and powerful leaders England has known. Works Cited http://www.britannia.com/history/monarchs/mon48.html http://www.westminster-abbey.org/our-history/people/oliver-cromwell http://historysheroes.e2bn.org/hero/timeline/3 http://bcw-project.org/biography/richard-cromwell http://bcw-project.org/biography/oliver-cromwell http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/cromwell_oliver.shtml http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/cromwell_england.htm
Oliver Cromwell was a well known military dictator. He helped the Parliamentarians win the First Civil War and was named Lord Protector. He died in 1658 but many people still remember him as one of the best leaders in history although others believe he was a harsh tyrant and always wanted too much power for himself. Throughout the years, numerous historians have changed their views on whether he was a good leader or not. This work will look at three interpretations from different people on who Cromwell was and what he was like and compare them.
Known for his betrayl against the Continental Army, Benedict Arnold is most remembered for becoming a turncoat during the Revolutionary War. But, before switiching sides Benedict was a strong military leader and an excellent soldier. And, on both sides of the war, Benedict had great victories. Through his patriotic and traitorous acts, Benedict Arnold helped shape the course of the American Revolution.
...tect his right to the throne. Ultimately, he stabilized the nation by settling the civil wars, the Wars of Roses, by marrying the apposing York family, to unite the two feuding families, the Yorks and the Lancasters. All together, King Henry VII is a new monarch for displaying all of the required traits.
The Considerations that Influenced Cromwell's Decision to Reject the Offer of the Crown in 1657
William the Conqueror and his Patronage William I, better known as William the Conqueror, began his medieval and political career at a young age when his father left him to go on a crusade. Effectively William became the Duke of Normandy. He had to fight against other members of the Norman royalty who desired William's land and treasure. William learned at an early age that the men who ruled Europe during the middle ages were primarily interested in their own greed at the expense of all else, including the concepts chivalry and honor. He soon became a feared military commander, conquering all in Normandy who would oppose his interests.
Under Cromwell's political and military leadership, the Puritan forces gained organization and determination. His New Model Army won a major battle in Naesby in 1645, which ultimately lead to Charles' surrender. In January 1649, Charles I was executed and the Interregnum under Cromwell began. However, Cromwell's reign was not successful, and by 1653 he was forced to rule through military dictatorship. After Cromwell's death in 1660, Charles II was invited to return from exile to claim the English throne. His return to power is known as the Restoration (Chambers 478-85).
Oliver Cromwell was a Member of Parliament (MP) and was against king Charles and his ways, so he worked hard and got the king executed. After that, he got offered the post of king, but he refused it, but was Lord Protector of the country. After some time, he dismissed parliament (because he thought they were getting selfish and greedy), and ruled on his own until he died of an infection on the 3rd of September 1658.
After the Civil War, the film showed the discontent among the commoners as the new parliament failed to represent their interests. But the film did not include the opinions of the masses following Cromwell’s ascension to Protector. Implying the end of civil unrest and the reforms enacted in Cromwell’s government. When in fact, Cromwell was not the champion of democratic rights, he once said to a purged Parliament, “Government, is for the people's good, not what pleases them”. Nor was he a staunched republican. When he was offered the Crown by Parliament in the film, Cromwell is seen to reject the proposal immediately. But in reality, Cromwell took three months to make his decision. The film exaggerates Cromwell’s response to show the audience how anti-monarchical he was. The rejection of the crown would insult his republican officers and perhaps limit his power as head of state. As the role of the crown was more defined than his future office of Lord Protector, thus political expedience possibly played a part in his rejection of kingship. The vagueness of the power of the Lord Protector strays away from the constitutionalism Cromwell stood for in the film, and shows Cromwell willing to sacrifice constitutional principles in order to rule effectively. The film also did not highlight the fact that Cromwell intended the Protectorate to be hereditary, and have his son
...h the freedom to choose religion), and the Presbyterians (who wanted a strict Calvinist system controlled by a strong central power). The Independents dominated the war with their New Model Army, and became an unstoppable force in England. They were led by the influential and militant Oliver Cromwell (whose nickname became "Lord Protector")of the House of Commons, and captured Charles, removed the House of Lords and the Presbyterians from Parliament, and executed the "holy anointed."
Henry VIII's legacy is one of the greatest in English history. He is best known for his political success, his many marriages, and his break from the Catholic Church.1 Henry VIII was able to achieve greatness through being an effective leader, changing the religious structure, and his six marriages.2 Because of this, he was able to become the most celebrated monarch in English history.3 Henry VIII achieved such a successful legacy because of his willingness to take risks. He led a campaign in his loyal Catholic country to renounce the pope, accept him as the leader of the Church of England, and fight against the Pope, his major opposition.4 This act of defiance permanently shifted the religious, political, and social history of England.
After years of trying and failing to get his first marriage annulled, Henry asked Thomas Cromwell to help him. In 1532, Cromwell got Parliament to pass a law making Henry the head of the Church of England, separating from Catholic Church. Henry’s power increased exponentially over the next decade as he became the head of the Church of England as well as his wealth. All English monasteries were closed, and their assets transferred to Henry’s coffers. Opponents of the revolution, such as Thomas More who was Henry’s old friend and adviser were executed. In the late 1530s and early 1540s, Henry executed various members of the Pole and Courtenay families because they were against him, but mostly because they were competing for the throne. In 1540, Henry even executed Thomas Cromwell because he failed annulling his marriage with Anne of Cleves. It is said that about 70,000 people were executed during his reign.
In British history, many people ruled with varying benefits to their country. Oliver Cromwell is one of the most beneficial leaders to England. Throughout his leadership, he caused social reforms, united Scotland, Ireland, and England under one ruler, and focused on making peace after each war. Cromwell benefited England by using an appropriate balance of peace and force. This balance allowed for England’s expansion and reformation.
causing more compromises for Cromwell. Foreign Policy and the unity of Great Britain was also important in Cromwell’s eyes. All these objectives will be looked at and assessed as to whether they were a failure or success in both Cromwell’s and others’ eyes.... ... middle of paper ...
The Glorious revolution was a changing point in the course of history. It was the first revolution of its kind which led to many more like the American revolution. There were many similarities between the Glorious and American revolution, John Locke played a key role in both revolutions, and Locke’s ideas were mirrored in the Declaration of Independence.
More knew that Cromwell had set he up, yet had no way of proving it and knew that no-one would believe him. Cromwell was hunting More for his beliefs not actions. People’s greed justified that they could go after More in order to get what they wanted.