Cromwell

Oliver, Lord-Protector (of the Commonwealth of Hngland ‘Scotland, and Ireland: born in Hunting don, England, April 25, 1599. His father was Robert Cromwell, a gentleman who represented the borough of Hunting don in the Parliament of 1593. Robert Cromwell was a young: er son of Sir Henry Gituteall, who was knighted by Queen Elizabeth; and Sir Henry again was a son of Sir Richard Williams, a nephew of Thomas Cromwell, Earl of E ex, whose name he took. Oliver’s mother was a daughter of William Steward, of Ely, and could trace her descent back to Alexander, °lord-steward of Scotland, the founder of the house of Stuart. Cromwell’s religious earnestne , his courage in the field, and his ability as a general made him the leader in the great revolution which for a time overthrew monarchy in England and Scotland. As head of the State under the title of ‘ Lord- Protector ” he made the name of England respected and feared abroad. His life was the history of England from the date, at least, of his decisive victory over Charles I. at Naseby until his death. He was to some extent the creature of* circumstances and probably thought at one time Of restoring the king, instead of taking his life. He wisely concluded, however, that, the restoration of Charles would be his own destruction, and he then deliberately brought about the trial and execution of his sovereign. His character embraced di imilation strangely coms bined with sincere fanaticism. As a general he was mercile , but tolerant in matters of conscience. He failed to found a dynasty because another like himself would have been needed to maintain it. By his complete subjection of Scotland he paved the way for the union of the two kingdoms, and he was the first to make Britain ime perial by the naval victories of his ad= mirals, and the promotion of commerce with the colonies. He died at.