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Cromwell's insight
'No Man knew more of Men.'
Dr George Bate, Cromwell's physician
Cromwell's genius for managing people was the animating force behind the formation of the New Model Army. Like all great commanders, he was able to inspire personal loyalty without sacrificing stature. His men felt they knew him, and it was said of Cromwell that 'he loved his soldiers as his children, and his greatest care was to see them provided for with all necessaries requisite.' Later, as Lord Protector, Cromwell was well served by shrewdly chosen subordinates. Lady Antonia Fraser has observed: 'This finesse in dealing with his fellow men was the properest expression of his intelligence.'
It has often been said that no man is a hero to his valet, but John Maidston, Oliver's servant, said of the Protector, 'A larger soul hath seldom dwelt in a house of clay.' Samuel Carrington, who published a biography of Cromwell in 1659 and knew him well, made the memorable observation that 'his greatest delight was to read men rather than books.'
Cromwell's indecision
The brilliant and incisive ruler of the battlefield, and the man who was unwavering in the decision to execute Charles I, was often seemingly racked with indecision as Lord Protector. This side of Cromwell's character was rooted in the lifelong and often agonising dialogue he conducted with himself as to the intentions of the Almighty. This could lead to long periods of delay, followed by decisive action.
One of the most striking instances of this preceded Cromwell's rejection of the crown, which he had been offered by Parliament in March 1657. It was not until 8 May – over two months after the proposal had been laid before him – that Cromwell told Parliament that 'he cannot undertake the government with the title of king.'
Cromwell's modesty
'I desire you would use all your skill to paint my picture truly like me ... warts and everything as you see me.'
Cromwell to a portraitist, in a possibly apocryphal but nevertheless revealing anecdote
As a private man, Cromwell displayed an engaging love of family relationships and an endearing affection for children. He was exceptionally courteous to women and included them in his friendships, by no means a common feature of the time. In contrast to the grim Puritan of legend, he delighted in music and the pleasures of hawking and hunting. He was endearingly careless about his dress, although he learned to adopt an impressive outward demeanour as Lord Protector.
It is doubtful, however, if Cromwell would have approved of his funeral ceremony in 1658, with its royal overtones. A period of lying in state was followed by an extravagant procession, the centrepiece of which was a wax effigy of his corpse.
Cromwell – hero or villain?
Oliver Cromwell died, possibly from a form of malaria, on 3 September 1658. He has left an enduring impression on English life and society, notably in the strain of non-conformity that took root and grew strong during his rule. He took great risks, but came to England's rescue from the tyranny of Charles I and the anarchy that followed the Civil Wars.
It was ironic therefore that, having overturned the existing order, Cromwell found himself representing that order himself and having to reconcile – not always successfully – the discordant elements he had called forth. As the shadows of the Protectorate lengthened, he resorted to the use of measures that Charles I might have applauded.
Hero or villain, he remains 'God's Englishman'.
Cromwell, our chief of men, who through a cloud
Not of war only, but detractions rude,
Guided by faith and matchless fortitude,
To peace and truth thy glorious way hast ploughed ...
John Milton
For an extensive consideration of Cromwell's personality and actions, see the full interviews with Professor Blair Worden and Dr Angela Anderson.
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