A complex blend of country gentleman and professional
soldier, social conservative and religious radical, Oliver
Cromwell towered head and shoulders over all other
politicians during the brief period when England was
without a monarchy. Elected MP for Huntingdon in
1628, he became a stern critic of Charles I in the Long
Parliament and went on to play a key military role in the
Civil War. After the King's execution, his loyalties were torn
between the army and Parliament, and he eventually expelled the
Rump of the unsuccessful Long Parliament.
Following the failure of the Barebones Parliament, Cromwell took office as Lord Protector - intending to govern jointly with Parliament. But relations between the two were strained and Cromwell dismissed Parliament