Oliver Cromwell is an outstanding English commander and statesman of the 16th-17th centuries. He led the English Revolution, led the Independent movement, and at the end of his political career served as Lord General and Lord Protector of England, Ireland and Scotland.
It is believed that Oliver Cromwell is a key figure in British history, who determined the fate of the country at a decisive moment in its history. Others believe that he was a good soldier who managed to achieve both glory and power. His word, the word of the commander of the parliamentary army, was more significant than the word of any other person. Oliver Cromwell was a man of tremendous spiritual strength, he radiated confidence and energy. In his presence, they were in awe of him.
Childhood and youth
Oliver Cromwell was born in 1599 in the city of Huntingdon into a family that in earlier times could be called wealthy. Cromwell's grandfather was personally acquainted with King James VI. There were rich people in their family, but all the wealth went to other relatives. Their family had eight children. The boy grew up and was brought up in a cozy atmosphere created by his mother Elizabeth. The entire period of childhood and adolescence of Oliver Cromwell can be called rather ordinary. His father, Robert Cromwell, was a poor nobleman with modest income. He had a cheerful disposition, and it was difficult to call him a Puritan in the strict sense of the word. He could not live without tobacco and liked to have fun from time to time.
Despite the fact that the Cromwell couple were relatively poor, Oliver received a good education, which he continued at the Huntingdon Public School at Sussex College at Cambridge University, known for its Puritan spirit. After the death of his father, he was forced to give up his education in order to help his family. At this time, he was engaged in farming: he prepared cheese, brewed beer, baked and sold bread. At the same time, he married Elizabeth Bourchier, who became his first and only wife.
Contemporaries wrote about Cromwell as a sensitive and compassionate person. He was tormented by his own immorality and devoted 10 years to hard peasant work.
Politics
With the help of the family, Oliver Cromwell became a Member of Parliament. His first speech in the highest legislative body of England on the protection of the rights of Puritan preachers took place in February 1929. Oliver's first appearance in the highest legislative body of England took place in February 1629. It was dedicated to protecting Puritan preachers. He was called the most fanatical member of parliament. The contradictions that existed between the parliament and the ruling elite became more and more obvious. Charles I was forced to dissolve parliament, and Cromwell's career was completed before he could begin.
English revolution
A society that disagrees about politics and religion can never live peacefully. In 1642, this confrontation resulted in a civil war, which was the beginning of the ascent of Oliver Cromwell.
On the one hand, the king and the royalists defended the interests of the Church of England and the king's divine right to rule. They were opposed by the parliamentary party, which voted to carry out reforms of the church and state. Cromwell became a cavalry captain. His career went uphill.
On an intuitive level, Cromwell understood what kind of army would be able to resist the royalists. He believed that a few honest men could do better than a whole army. Righteous men will lead godly soldiers. This is how the legendary detachment of "iron-sided" cavalry appeared, extremely disciplined and devout soldiers, ready to fight for the Lord. It was Cromwell's army that brought victory to the parliamentary army in the Battle of Marston Moore in 1644. It was this event, coupled with the victory at the Battle of Naseby in 1645, that predetermined the history of the English Revolution.
With his army, Cromwell, who was reputed to be a genius commander, went through many battles and each time received higher and higher ranks. In 1644 he was promoted to lieutenant general.
After the victory of parliament in the First Civil War, the dictatorship of the king became a thing of the past. The outcome of the war was largely due to the outstanding organizational skills and energy of Oliver Cromwell.
The vast experience gained during the hostilities, Cromwell used to create an effective army. In 1645 he created an army of a new type, based on the "iron-sided" detachments.
Civil War
After the victory of parliament, the commander decided to move to a more moderate opposition. But his rejection of radical democratic views was not to everyone's taste. The Levellers were still dissatisfied with the results of the revolution and demanded the continuation of the battles.
In 1647, the army took the king prisoner. Despite all attempts to unite the warring parties, Oliver Cromwell was unable to prevent the Second Civil War, which began in 1648.
During this revolution, Cromwell fought royalists in Scotland and the north of England. As a result, he managed to get the House of Commons cleansed of royalist supporters.
In 1649, Cromwell agreed to the execution of the king and the proclamation of England as a republic. The "silk" Independents, led by Cromwell, were in power. Subsequently, he continued to wage a merciless struggle with the troops of the royalists, and showed himself to be a cruel ruler.
last years of life
Over time, Cromwell's reign became more and more conservative. He was sharply negative about any attempts of his subjects to establish democracy. And after receiving the rank of Lord General of the Republic, he did try to establish a personal dictatorship.
Despite the success in foreign policy, the internal economic crisis was inevitable. An inept domestic policy steadily brought the restoration of the monarchy nearer. After Cromwell's death in 1658, his son Richard became his successor, who soon lost power, unable to cope with the unrest that began at that time in the country.
