The Real Oliver Cromwell

[Sam Gamgee]

It seems to a modern consensus that Oliver Cromwell was a puritanical tyrant, no better than the king he replaced? I’m wondering if this has always been the view on Cromwell, or is it just a modern liberal revision of history? What was Cromwell’s real legacy? Part of me wonders if Cromwell has been vilified unfairly by the left in much the same way Franco has been. (A person I believe was saving his nation from International Communism – which for shame some of my countrymen fought alongside) One of the problems that faced the parliamentarians once the king was gone was how the run the country via parliament? The new American Republic solved this by creating the Executive (which was a controversy in its time) but severely limiting its powers. The British public threw out Cromwell and brought back the Stewarts – but was this simply a negative reaction to the beheading of a king – which was a little too much for the English public to stomach? Didn’t Cromwell bring stability, justice, and freedoms during his reign? Was he a reluctant head of state the movie “Cromwell” depicts him as? There are so many elements of history that were taught to me over my life I have come to learn later were lazy mis-truths. (Such as the dark ages being a relatively unimportant, barbaric, and mean period of European history). Didn’t Charles Martel stave off the Moslem horde during these years? I ramble, but interested in some feedback on Cromwell.

[nicollo]

Heh, Jem, thanks for the ping. Fascinating subject.

Sam Gamgee, you may find some refuge (or Cromwell may find it) for your argument in this observation by a later observer in France, one M. Voltaire:

What has made England powerful is the fact that from the time of Elizabeth, all parties have agreed on the necessity of favoring commerce. The same parliament that had the king beheaded was busy with overseas trading posts as though nothing were happening. The blood of Charles I was still steaming when this parliament, composed almost entirely of fanatics, passed the Navigation Act of 1650

David Landes, from whom I found the quotation, points out that the Act was passed in 1651, but no matter: Voltaire was right. In his continental wars, his wars on religion, and so on, Charles I was messing with the core British mission -- to make money, and Cromwell and his set it straight.

One may also be reminded here of Pinochet.

[Sam Gamgee]

I know little of Pinochet, but have heard he was tried by a leftist court and sentenced undeservedly.

[MikeD]

I confess -- I know little about Oliver Cromwell that I didn't learn from Monty Python. Then again, I suppose that's more than most people...

[Sam Gamgee]

You are probably right. Along with Franco and McCarthy he is one of the most internationally hated figures of history - but I am sure those that hate him (and them) so much have never investigated their history.