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'''Oliver Cromwell''' (1599-1658) was an English soldier, statesman, and leader of the [[Puritans|Puritan]] revolution. He rose from the ranks of the middle gentry to become an outstanding soldier; his genius for organizing and inspiring the parliamentary armies, called the "[[New Model Army]]" and nicknamed "roundheads", was displayed at the battle of Marston Moor (1644).  His admiring soldiers called him "Old Ironsides".  Victory in the field allowed him to execute the king in 1649 and become a virtual dictator; after 1653 he ruled under the title "Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland." He executed an aggressive and generally effective foreign policy. Cromwell did as much as any English ruler to shape the future of the land he governed, but his Commonwealth collapsed after his death and the royal family was restored in 1660.  

'''Oliver Cromwell''' (1599-1658) was an English soldier, statesman, and leader of the [[Puritans|Puritan]] revolution. He rose from the ranks of the middle gentry to become an outstanding soldier; his genius for organizing and inspiring the parliamentary armies, called the "[[New Model Army]]" and nicknamed "roundheads", was displayed at the battle of Marston Moor (1644).  His admiring soldiers called him "Old Ironsides".  Victory in the field allowed him to execute the king in 1649 and become a virtual dictator; after 1653 he ruled under the title "Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland, and Ireland." He executed an aggressive and generally effective foreign policy. Cromwell did as much as any English ruler to shape the future of the land he governed, but his Commonwealth collapsed after his death and the royal family was restored in 1660.  

An intensely religious man--a Puritan Moses--he fervently believed God was guiding his victories. However he was never identified with any one sect or position, and favoured religious tolerance.  His many admirers called him "God's Englishman"  

An intensely religious man--almost a Puritan [[Moses]]--he fervently believed God was guiding his victories. However he was never identified with any one sect or position, and favoured religious tolerance.  His many admirers called him "God's Englishman"  

Cromwell is the most controversial figure in all of British history. Strongly held opinions stretch from those who see him as a regicidal dictator who trampled on glorious royal traditions or a religious fanatic and a genocidal murderer of the Irish Catholics, to those who celebrate a hero of liberty who helped make the nation great. Most historians now have a favourable view of Cromwell's achievements and character.

Cromwell is the most controversial figure in all of British history. Strongly held opinions stretch from those who see him as a regicidal dictator who trampled on glorious royal traditions or a religious fanatic and a genocidal murderer of the Irish Catholics, to those who celebrate a hero of liberty who helped make the nation great. Most historians now have a favourable view of Cromwell's achievements and character.