English Civil War

Oliver Cromwell

Oliver Cromwell

The undisputed leader of Parliament was Oliver Cromwell. He had been born in Huntingdon, East Anglia in 1599, while Elizabeth was still queen. His family had done well out of the Dissolution of monasteries, under Henry VIII, but Cromwell was not wealthy.

He first appeared in Parliament in 1627, but his early political career was unremarkable. He grew in influence when he sided with Henry Pym and became identified with those who opposed the king.

He was a plain-looking, plain-living man with an obstinate will and a genuine talent for command and battle. He came into his own through the army. He believed utterly that he was called by God to save England and protestantism.

History of Western Civilization

E.L. Skip Knox
Boise State University

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