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Oliver Cromwell and the Rule of the Puritans in England
For nearly two hundred years after his death so little was known of Cromwell's personal views and motives that he was generally regarded as, in Hume's words, a hypocritical fanatic. Carlyle's researches were sufficient to refute the charge of hypocrisy, but not until the beginning of this century was a sufficient mass of documents and personal correspondence assembled to make possible a just and balanced account of Cromwell's life. Sir Charles Firth's biography, first published in 1900, presents such an account, and in the years that have passed since the book was written it has become generally recognized as a standard work, soundly informative as history and worthy of preservation as literature.
300 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1900
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About the author
Charles Harding Firth
107 books7 followersSir Charles Harding Firth was a British historian.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 3, 2018
The traditional history I had learned about Oliver Cromwell is that he had led a Puritan uprising against king Charles I of England that overthrew and beheaded him. Afterwards, he placed England under Puritan rule, with himself functioning as the head of state until his death. Afterwards, the Puritans were unable to maintain control, allowing the restoration of the monarchy under Charles II, the son and heir of the overthrown king. As I read this book I quickly learned that this was somewhat accurate but a gross oversimplification. In my review, I will discuss the history of the English Civil War and Cromwell’s rule. Finally, I will discuss Mr. Firth’s writing style.
The English Civil War, actually two civil wars, was triggered by two different conflicts:
• There was a power struggle between Charles and Parliament. As overconfident in his abilities and decision quality as a redneck saying, “Hold my beer,” Charles I had been engaging in foreign policy misadventures that cost a lot of money and whose failures were harmful to England. Needing more revenue, he would call Parliament to obtain it, but the first item on Parliament’s agenda was political reform. Because Parliament would make the additional revenue contingent on reform, the king would promptly dissolve it. Finally, he imposed additional taxes without Parliamentary approval.
• Charles had a different theological vision than the majority of the ecclesiastical community. Many of his subjects were not with the Church of England. The Scots and a large portion of the English were Presbyterian. Furthermore, a substantial minority in England were independents, consisting of Puritans, who were congregationalist, and Baptists, theologically similar to the Anabaptists of Calvin’s day but without the pacifism. Charles wanted to impose episcopal church governance on everybody.
The first civil war, fought from 1642 to 1646, pitted the supporters of the Long Parliament, which had been called by Charles in 1640, against the supporters of the king in a dispute over who possessed sovereignty. With the aid of the Scotts, the supporters of the Long Parliament defeated Charles. During negotiations for his return to power, Charles successfully drove a wedge between the independents and the Presbyterians by committing to impose Presbyterianism throughout England for a period of three years. Furthermore, he persuaded the Scotts to invade England (the second civil war, from 1648 to 1649). After their decisive defeat, he was taken into custody, tried and executed by a Parliament whose loyalty to the monarchy had been eroded by his act of treachery in getting a foreign army to invade England. In the end, the gap between how smart he thought he was and how smart he really was contributed to the gap that formed between his head and his body.
Oliver Cromwell, a member of Parliament, was given a military command in the first civil war. Although he had no prior military experience, he proved to be a quick learner. He turned the units under him into disciplined fighting machines that did a superb job of maintaining their equipment and horses for constant battle readiness. When in battle, his units tended to quickly overwhelm the enemies arrayed against them. Then, Cromwell’s good battlefield instincts would kick in, and he would attack the flanks and rear of other enemy units on the battlefield, turning his local victory into a general victory. Not surprisingly, he quickly rose up the ranks to higher and higher field command. Later, when Parliament outlawed members of Parliament from holding command, a law enacted because the politicians in Parliament tended to make poor commanders, it delayed compelling Cromwell to resign his commission because his skills were too good to waste.
After the execution of Charles, the Long Parliament was the ultimate sovereign in England, with no checks and balances to prevent excesses and overreaches. It tried to dismiss most of the army without resolving major arrearages in pay and without indemnifying the members of the army from prosecution for deeds committed while obeying the orders of Parliament. Dominated by Presbyterians, it tried to enact legislation making Presbyterianism the state religion and compelling independents such as Puritans and Baptists, many of whom had fought for Parliament against the king, to become Presbyterians. To prevent this from happening, Cromwell, with the backing of the army, unseated most of Parliament, reducing it to a rump Parliament consisting of loyalists. This wasn’t his preference, but the only way to allow independents such as Puritans and Baptists to remain independents without government interference was to enact Puritan rule.
After the formation of the rump Parliament, there was a royalist uprising intended to restore the monarchy under Charles II. Cromwell’s efforts to suppress it included the invasion and subjugation of both Scotland and Ireland. Afterwards, he was named Lord Protector. In this role, he engaged in various foreign wars, turning the Royal Navy into the powerhouse that would rule the seas and strengthening England’s colonial holdings in America, including seizing Jamaica from Spain. He may well have been as active as Charles with regards to foreign policy, but with much better judgment.
Finally, he died in 1658, and his son Richard was named Lord Protector. Richard, however, did not have his father’s political skills, and the Long Parliament reasserted its authority and allowed Charles II to return as king.
Charles Firth, a British historian, wrote this book in 1900. As I was not initially accustomed to his writing style, I was somewhat slow to get into the book. However, once I had gotten used to his style, I found the book to be a fun read. The period comprising English Civil War and Cromwell’s rule was exceedingly complex, with many different interest groups and changing alliances. Mr. Firth wrote in such a way as to allow the reader to make sense of this complexity without oversimplifying the situation.
The English Civil War, actually two civil wars, was triggered by two different conflicts:
• There was a power struggle between Charles and Parliament. As overconfident in his abilities and decision quality as a redneck saying, “Hold my beer,” Charles I had been engaging in foreign policy misadventures that cost a lot of money and whose failures were harmful to England. Needing more revenue, he would call Parliament to obtain it, but the first item on Parliament’s agenda was political reform. Because Parliament would make the additional revenue contingent on reform, the king would promptly dissolve it. Finally, he imposed additional taxes without Parliamentary approval.
• Charles had a different theological vision than the majority of the ecclesiastical community. Many of his subjects were not with the Church of England. The Scots and a large portion of the English were Presbyterian. Furthermore, a substantial minority in England were independents, consisting of Puritans, who were congregationalist, and Baptists, theologically similar to the Anabaptists of Calvin’s day but without the pacifism. Charles wanted to impose episcopal church governance on everybody.
The first civil war, fought from 1642 to 1646, pitted the supporters of the Long Parliament, which had been called by Charles in 1640, against the supporters of the king in a dispute over who possessed sovereignty. With the aid of the Scotts, the supporters of the Long Parliament defeated Charles. During negotiations for his return to power, Charles successfully drove a wedge between the independents and the Presbyterians by committing to impose Presbyterianism throughout England for a period of three years. Furthermore, he persuaded the Scotts to invade England (the second civil war, from 1648 to 1649). After their decisive defeat, he was taken into custody, tried and executed by a Parliament whose loyalty to the monarchy had been eroded by his act of treachery in getting a foreign army to invade England. In the end, the gap between how smart he thought he was and how smart he really was contributed to the gap that formed between his head and his body.
Oliver Cromwell, a member of Parliament, was given a military command in the first civil war. Although he had no prior military experience, he proved to be a quick learner. He turned the units under him into disciplined fighting machines that did a superb job of maintaining their equipment and horses for constant battle readiness. When in battle, his units tended to quickly overwhelm the enemies arrayed against them. Then, Cromwell’s good battlefield instincts would kick in, and he would attack the flanks and rear of other enemy units on the battlefield, turning his local victory into a general victory. Not surprisingly, he quickly rose up the ranks to higher and higher field command. Later, when Parliament outlawed members of Parliament from holding command, a law enacted because the politicians in Parliament tended to make poor commanders, it delayed compelling Cromwell to resign his commission because his skills were too good to waste.
After the execution of Charles, the Long Parliament was the ultimate sovereign in England, with no checks and balances to prevent excesses and overreaches. It tried to dismiss most of the army without resolving major arrearages in pay and without indemnifying the members of the army from prosecution for deeds committed while obeying the orders of Parliament. Dominated by Presbyterians, it tried to enact legislation making Presbyterianism the state religion and compelling independents such as Puritans and Baptists, many of whom had fought for Parliament against the king, to become Presbyterians. To prevent this from happening, Cromwell, with the backing of the army, unseated most of Parliament, reducing it to a rump Parliament consisting of loyalists. This wasn’t his preference, but the only way to allow independents such as Puritans and Baptists to remain independents without government interference was to enact Puritan rule.
After the formation of the rump Parliament, there was a royalist uprising intended to restore the monarchy under Charles II. Cromwell’s efforts to suppress it included the invasion and subjugation of both Scotland and Ireland. Afterwards, he was named Lord Protector. In this role, he engaged in various foreign wars, turning the Royal Navy into the powerhouse that would rule the seas and strengthening England’s colonial holdings in America, including seizing Jamaica from Spain. He may well have been as active as Charles with regards to foreign policy, but with much better judgment.
Finally, he died in 1658, and his son Richard was named Lord Protector. Richard, however, did not have his father’s political skills, and the Long Parliament reasserted its authority and allowed Charles II to return as king.
Charles Firth, a British historian, wrote this book in 1900. As I was not initially accustomed to his writing style, I was somewhat slow to get into the book. However, once I had gotten used to his style, I found the book to be a fun read. The period comprising English Civil War and Cromwell’s rule was exceedingly complex, with many different interest groups and changing alliances. Mr. Firth wrote in such a way as to allow the reader to make sense of this complexity without oversimplifying the situation.
April 25, 2016
2.75
I read a lot of non-fiction history books. Many of these books, most people would find rather dry. They rarely bother me, however, as I do very much enjoy history. But this one...I'm gonna be honest here, I had to restart this one like four times. The beginning was like over-cooked chicken. Real hard to get down. Thankfully, I did stick it out and after the first few chapters, it did pick up.
I felt that Firth gave a good overall biography of Cromwell whilst avoiding the myths that seem to follow such a controversial figure. It was clearly very well researched and went into more detail then I've seen yet in a Cromwell biography. If you are interested in the man, I do recommend you check this one out, but do beware of the fact that the first few chapters are a struggle.
**I received this copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
I read a lot of non-fiction history books. Many of these books, most people would find rather dry. They rarely bother me, however, as I do very much enjoy history. But this one...I'm gonna be honest here, I had to restart this one like four times. The beginning was like over-cooked chicken. Real hard to get down. Thankfully, I did stick it out and after the first few chapters, it did pick up.
I felt that Firth gave a good overall biography of Cromwell whilst avoiding the myths that seem to follow such a controversial figure. It was clearly very well researched and went into more detail then I've seen yet in a Cromwell biography. If you are interested in the man, I do recommend you check this one out, but do beware of the fact that the first few chapters are a struggle.
**I received this copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
March 20, 2013
Well, you may be surprised to hear this, but this book is about Oliver Cromwell and the rule of the Puritans in England! And in keeping with historical writings, it is hard to say what the truth is about Cromwell. Compared to Churchill, Firth is much more even-handed and appreciative of the Lord Protector's motives and actions. For example, he mentions the suppression in Ireland in a straightforward, almost tolerant manner, whereas Churchill really presents it as unforgettable atrocities. Having read this, I know about what Cromwell did and said, but am still no closer to understanding the man, much less discerning his motives. Firth is nowhere as skilled a writer as Churchill, but I am glad to have read both books.
April 16, 2018
Particularly interesting biography of Cromwell from 1900. The writer seemed to share the 19th century interest in how parliaments worked but remained detached from the influence of 'Whig History' , or the revival of interest in Catholicism. The biography tries to recount Cromwell's rise to power, neither treating him as an all out villain or hero. He is keen to show how important Cromwell was as a military commander, and takes his religious beliefs seriously. Cromwell is not counted as being all powerful.....being opposed to the Anglo-Dutch war, never reaching his goal of forming an international Protestant Coalition, and being far more tolerant to other religious sects such as The Society of Friends ( Quakers) .And Cromwell is shown as drinking , enjoying music and hunting. Not the complete killjoy by any means
The role of Scotland in the Civil War is well detailed and the author examines Cromwell's role in the new colonialism.
At times the book is under-stated. The full horror of the Civil War in humanitarian terms, such as the siege of Colchester in the second Civil War, the Irish campaign, the rise of transportation, are almost avoided. There is little attempt to tell of the lives of Cromwell's foot soldiers, or to look at the Civil War in economic terms. But overall a well written and impartial biography.
The role of Scotland in the Civil War is well detailed and the author examines Cromwell's role in the new colonialism.
At times the book is under-stated. The full horror of the Civil War in humanitarian terms, such as the siege of Colchester in the second Civil War, the Irish campaign, the rise of transportation, are almost avoided. There is little attempt to tell of the lives of Cromwell's foot soldiers, or to look at the Civil War in economic terms. But overall a well written and impartial biography.
September 2, 2016
The initial start was a bit hard with the author attempting to outline the reason for the English Civil War and Cromwell's family background. At this point I nearly gave up, but thank goodness I didn't. Once your through the first few chapters the books pace picks up with the author giving each chapter a title focus. The book is informative and quickly makes you change your mind about Cromwell and leaves you with a ' well I never knew that' feeling as you end the book. In all its well written, packed full of information and has certainly left me thinking 'why we ever reinstated the Monarchy.
April 7, 2019
So many parallels to today world
I must confess I knew little to nothing about the time of Cromwell or the lasting effects of the mid to late 1600s. I now know for sure that we are condemned to repeat the unlearn lessons of the past. I’ll avoid listing specific so as to leave future readers an unbiased approach to this very well crafted work.
Great read for the religious and political history fan and those of us who like great biographies with strong political and religious beliefs.
I enjoyed the depth of the research, and the writing, so I give it 3 very well deserved stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️!
I must confess I knew little to nothing about the time of Cromwell or the lasting effects of the mid to late 1600s. I now know for sure that we are condemned to repeat the unlearn lessons of the past. I’ll avoid listing specific so as to leave future readers an unbiased approach to this very well crafted work.
Great read for the religious and political history fan and those of us who like great biographies with strong political and religious beliefs.
I enjoyed the depth of the research, and the writing, so I give it 3 very well deserved stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️!
March 21, 2017
The Leader the Country Did Not Deserve
This is one of those rare books once finished you determine to start again just as soon as you have completed the review. A real history book.
This is one of those rare books once finished you determine to start again just as soon as you have completed the review. A real history book.
September 29, 2017
If you are interested in seventeenth century England or in Cromwell, you will find this book lucidly written and thoughtful. Having read the narrative I came to the epilogue and found a measured and critical assessment of Cromwell. What more could I ask.
September 9, 2020
'Oliver Cromwell and the Rule of the Puritans in England' is a detail-heavy, narrative-light biography that 'suffers' due to its age and author's style. Everyone who intends to read the book should know it was published in 1900 and its writing reflects that. It is not poorly written, per say, but the style will affect your enjoyment and perhaps even your understanding of some sections of the book. If you can move beyond it, you will enjoy a biography grounded in primary evidence.
So as not to focus on the bad, I think it is important to say upfront what the book does well. The author appropriately emphasises religion, the most important theme in Cromwell's life, and does a fantastic job of showing how it connects everything he does. You will not walk away from this book confused by Cromwell's decisions. You will also come to appreciate that while Cromwell was political, Cromwell wasn’t political. The book goes to great lengths to show that most of the criticisms of Cromwell are nonsense or unsupported, through evidence not polemics, and gives you a contextual appreciation of the accurate criticisms - very useful, considering good ol' Oliver is probably the most slandered leader in the history of Great Britain.
This book is historical biography, not a political commentary, so do not expect to learn much about theory and politics outside Cromwell’s immediate engagements. You will not learn much about Jacobean monarchical theory, the Diggers’ agrarian collectivism or really even the tenets of the Levellers. If Cromwell encountered them, you will encounter them, but don’t expect to be able to fully appreciate their positions.
Unfortunately, there are a few things which make this a tough read. Without returning to the most obvious, the dated writing, the book just isn’t very gripping, lacks a compelling narrative and would not be out-of-place in a library of textbooks. There are many points in Cromwell’s life that are genuinely mysterious, exciting or tense but you will not know that from reading this book. You will know how things happened but never feel like you are side-by-side with Cromwell during his journey. These issues don’t stem from lack of ability, the author, Charles Firth, was a historian and there is no reason to think he set out to write anything but a history book. Still, considering how different the publishing scene is these days, it might come as a disappointing surprise.
I would also recommend that you have a decent understanding of the English Civil Wars and Protectorate before reading this book. The book simply isn't long enough to provide context for everyone and everything.
All-in-all, if you are interested in the period and the man this is an informative read. Just don’t go in expecting a compelling, modern biography.
So as not to focus on the bad, I think it is important to say upfront what the book does well. The author appropriately emphasises religion, the most important theme in Cromwell's life, and does a fantastic job of showing how it connects everything he does. You will not walk away from this book confused by Cromwell's decisions. You will also come to appreciate that while Cromwell was political, Cromwell wasn’t political. The book goes to great lengths to show that most of the criticisms of Cromwell are nonsense or unsupported, through evidence not polemics, and gives you a contextual appreciation of the accurate criticisms - very useful, considering good ol' Oliver is probably the most slandered leader in the history of Great Britain.
This book is historical biography, not a political commentary, so do not expect to learn much about theory and politics outside Cromwell’s immediate engagements. You will not learn much about Jacobean monarchical theory, the Diggers’ agrarian collectivism or really even the tenets of the Levellers. If Cromwell encountered them, you will encounter them, but don’t expect to be able to fully appreciate their positions.
Unfortunately, there are a few things which make this a tough read. Without returning to the most obvious, the dated writing, the book just isn’t very gripping, lacks a compelling narrative and would not be out-of-place in a library of textbooks. There are many points in Cromwell’s life that are genuinely mysterious, exciting or tense but you will not know that from reading this book. You will know how things happened but never feel like you are side-by-side with Cromwell during his journey. These issues don’t stem from lack of ability, the author, Charles Firth, was a historian and there is no reason to think he set out to write anything but a history book. Still, considering how different the publishing scene is these days, it might come as a disappointing surprise.
I would also recommend that you have a decent understanding of the English Civil Wars and Protectorate before reading this book. The book simply isn't long enough to provide context for everyone and everything.
All-in-all, if you are interested in the period and the man this is an informative read. Just don’t go in expecting a compelling, modern biography.
June 16, 2023
Over a 100 years old, but a great book. Really helped me see Cromwell on his own terms, not the repulsive, warty mastermind and bully of common myth. I must say, you may disagree with his religion or politics, and the latter was largely shaped by the former, but I could not help but admire Cromwell’s grit, wisdom, pragmatism, unshakable honesty, and incorruptibility. He was a firm believer in only two things: the gospel and in rule by the consent of the governed. On every other point, he was flexible. He did not object to Presbyterian church government, though he himself was a Congregationalist. He favored religious toleration for most Trinitarian Christian groups. He commuted death sentences for people who committed the worst blasphemies. He employed many former Royalists in his court when he was Lord Protector. The great irony of his life was that he was reluctant to take up the power that was offered to him, and utterly opposed to taking on the title of King. Many accused him of tyranny despite his many attempts to obtain the consent of the English people by fair elections. Cromwell was a much better man personally than many of the kings that came before or after him, and I find him, as reluctant as I am to admit it, a very admirable man.
July 7, 2020
Enjoyable read. Written more than 100 years ago. Largely favourable view of Cromwell in contrast with much of what had been written before. Lots of detail of Cromwell's rise to power and his abilities as a soldier. It persuaded me that he was swept along by events as well as driven by his beliefs.
It leaves unanswered what might have happened had he lived on beyond his 59 years. He held together with his iron will an uneasy interregnum, in which he had to contend with many competing political and religious forces as well as the mood of the nation for a return to a conventional monarchy. This was an impossible task for his son and heir, Richard.
I was surprised to read how successful and enlightened he was as a politician and statesman, and how tolerant he was of other religious beliefs. A remarkable and complex man whom. because of the context of the times in which he lived, history should not judge harshly..
It leaves unanswered what might have happened had he lived on beyond his 59 years. He held together with his iron will an uneasy interregnum, in which he had to contend with many competing political and religious forces as well as the mood of the nation for a return to a conventional monarchy. This was an impossible task for his son and heir, Richard.
I was surprised to read how successful and enlightened he was as a politician and statesman, and how tolerant he was of other religious beliefs. A remarkable and complex man whom. because of the context of the times in which he lived, history should not judge harshly..
September 23, 2022
The first few chapters of the book are a bit confusing at first with so many characters involved, but it’s just how it was written - an old-fashioned form of writing, a bit boring for some and not great for casual reading. The book is simplified, but it didn’t tell the whole story. But what I learned about Cromwell during my research for my books about our travels in Ireland and Scotland is that he and his New Model Army’s atrocities were not well regarded among the people of those two countries.
I must say Cromwell was a good tactician. He succeeded in removing the absolute power of the Catholic Monarchy, but then he himself followed the rule of Puritanism, a religion he believed and grew up with. His rule was short and lasted only ten years. His corpse, later after having been buried in Westminster abbey, was exhumed and ended up being hanged. His name and reputation in history left a bad taste.
I must say Cromwell was a good tactician. He succeeded in removing the absolute power of the Catholic Monarchy, but then he himself followed the rule of Puritanism, a religion he believed and grew up with. His rule was short and lasted only ten years. His corpse, later after having been buried in Westminster abbey, was exhumed and ended up being hanged. His name and reputation in history left a bad taste.
September 1, 2020
Combined this with a short break to Cambridgeshire around Huntingdon/St Ives. The development of an individual from near obscurity to the man who was virtually proclaimed King is quite fascinating. He seemed to combine the best and worst of humanity all in one individual. Ultimately, I believe he was bought down by that irresistible sin of self-interest.
We came very close to establishing a functioning republic to replace a failing system based on privilege and entitlement. Massive lessons for the present day, but be careful what you wish for!
We came very close to establishing a functioning republic to replace a failing system based on privilege and entitlement. Massive lessons for the present day, but be careful what you wish for!
October 15, 2024
This book was published in 1900 and I struggled a bit with the language at times. This was further complicated by the liberal use of original quotes, which did not always clarify things for me and broke the narrative a bit. I also missed maps - there are none - as they would have helped understand various battles better. On the positive side, the book provides a good insight into Cromwell's life and Cromwell as a person. His legacy is controversial and I felt that the book's view was quite nuanced.
June 21, 2022
interesting detailed history
A well-written, detailed account of the rise and fall of Oliver Cromwell. He was ahead of his times in some ways and lagging in others. A complex person who wanted to do the right thing and had to negotiate a system often unwilling to compromise. I learned a great deal from the book, which introduced letters written to and by Cromwell and other first hand accounts of the period
A well-written, detailed account of the rise and fall of Oliver Cromwell. He was ahead of his times in some ways and lagging in others. A complex person who wanted to do the right thing and had to negotiate a system often unwilling to compromise. I learned a great deal from the book, which introduced letters written to and by Cromwell and other first hand accounts of the period
August 5, 2017
A real 'study' of Cromwell
You need time and plenty of it to read, appreciate and assimilate the content. Well written but in a strangely quaint form of English. Took some time to get comfortable with it and re- read bits over again to make sense of some passages. Sometimes it was hard to sort out where the narrative was being even handed rather than mere opinion.
You need time and plenty of it to read, appreciate and assimilate the content. Well written but in a strangely quaint form of English. Took some time to get comfortable with it and re- read bits over again to make sense of some passages. Sometimes it was hard to sort out where the narrative was being even handed rather than mere opinion.
September 22, 2022
Good dose of reality for postmil reconstructionist men who think they'd do a better job if they were the political authorities. Reader can't help but love Cromwell there in the midst of the endless battles of the English Civil War with slightly different brands of Protestants on all sides of him killing each other, and he himself often helpless to stop them.
June 22, 2025
A solid overview of the English Civil War and the cultural legacy of Puritanism, which continues to influence the modern West through American hegemony. However, it is far too lenient on the brutal and often monstrous aspects of Cromwell’s campaigns in Ireland and Scotland, where his actions left lasting scars on the so-called "lesser nations."
October 16, 2019
A scholarly book for everyone
There is not much to say about this book.
Excellent is the first adjective that comes to min.
Easy to read, entertaining yet scholarly come next.
Enthralling for those who love History is my last comment.
There is not much to say about this book.
Excellent is the first adjective that comes to min.
Easy to read, entertaining yet scholarly come next.
Enthralling for those who love History is my last comment.
June 24, 2021
Informative and Well Rounded.
Very enjoyable read. Detailed and informative. The view of Cromwell still sits in the middle but certainly a man who made a difference in his lifetime... this book helps explore those differences and reasoning in an open way.
Very enjoyable read. Detailed and informative. The view of Cromwell still sits in the middle but certainly a man who made a difference in his lifetime... this book helps explore those differences and reasoning in an open way.
May 27, 2025
Cromwell's England
The author does an excellent job of describing the context in which Cromwell came to prominence as well as the results looking after Cromwell passed. He spells out the motivations, the changing times, the opposition, the weaknesses of the times. Very good read!
The author does an excellent job of describing the context in which Cromwell came to prominence as well as the results looking after Cromwell passed. He spells out the motivations, the changing times, the opposition, the weaknesses of the times. Very good read!
November 27, 2018
Good overview of Cromwell the man as well as the history of the Protectorate. British and Celtic history well researched.
May 3, 2020
A bit too dry and dusty for my liking. I'll be looking for another Cromwell bio I suppose.
November 1, 2020
Oliver Cromwell
The book is too wordy. Had way to much information for casual reading and dialogue a
Was at times very boring
The book is too wordy. Had way to much information for casual reading and dialogue a
Was at times very boring
December 1, 2020
Easy to read well documented
My first reading of the history of Cromwell. Would recommend as a novice with a light knowledge of this time
My first reading of the history of Cromwell. Would recommend as a novice with a light knowledge of this time
February 21, 2021
Absolutely brilliant author. He told the story of Cromwell with enthusiasm and balance. He makes sure to explain as he goes, and keeps to the point. I loved every page.
March 11, 2017
been a royalist always though Oliver Cromwell as a bit of a cad & bounder, but must say I enjoyed it, the beginning gave me insight as to why it all happened and then how well he did to bring the country back to its place in the world. Thank you
February 14, 2025
Biography on Oliver Cromwell describing his life and rising to prominence and power in Britain following a few civil wars where Cromwell came to power, ending up in King Charles I being given a sham trial and beheaded, leading into Cromwell ruling Britain as a theocratic military dictator. Describes Cromwell’s rule over Britain, including what policies he passes enforcing Puritan morality and Cromwellian foreign relations with other European powers. This is followed by the restoration of the monarchy under King Charles II following Cromwell’s death at the height of his power. Also talks about Cromwell’s attempts to convert Catholic Ireland to Protestantism, and Oliver Cromwell seems to me to be the only real historical example of a Protestant dictator.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews