Cromwell, OLIVER

1599-1658. Lord Protector of England. M.P. 1628 and 1640; commander of the left wing at Marston Moor 1644, and of the right at Naseby 1645; leader of the Independents, and member of the Court which condemned the King 1649. He subdued the Irish Royalists; became commander-in-chief 1650; defeated the Scots at Dunbar Sept. 3, and Charles II. at Worcester 1651; di olved the "Rump" Parliament 1653, and became Lord Protector, but refused the title of king. The ablest general of his time, he IMG:content-1035.png:[graphic][merged small] proved to be, though uncrowned, the greatest of English sovereigns: he made England respected and feared abroad, protected foreign Protestants, and ruled wisely at home, though in an anomalous position, under vast jealousies and increasing difficulties. His character and motives are still matters of controversy: the safest opinion regards him as neither hypocrite nor saint.-His son RICHARD, 1626-1712, a peaceable and unambitious man, succeeded him as Protector, but resigned April 1659, and lived abroad till 1680.