Oliver Cromwell was a Puritan MP from Cambridgeshire when Charles I raised his standards in Nottingham, 1642. This was the start of the civil war. Cromwell introduced a new model army to the Parliamentarians which was a superior fighting force that led to the defeat of the Royalists. This influenced people to believe that he were a hero as they were against King Charles I. Cromwell seemed as the only person that would stand up to him. When the king was executed in 1649, the country became republic and the army took control. As Cromwell was in charge of the army, he quickly became the most powerful man in England. Although he was seen by many as a hero, he also polarized people’s opinions. This makes This was an unpopular move on Cromwell’s behalf and led people to believe he was a villain; “I would rather live seven years under the old king’s government at its worst than this government of generals and court martials” said John Lilburne, 1649. The statement shows that the many people did not like the changes Cromwell made to religion and the government. This is evidence to why many saw him as a Villain at this time. However some still believed that Cromwell could change England for the better, and he was later offered the crown by his people. This meant their was still hope in Cromwell even though he was hated by many.
Cromwell’s action that led to the defeat of Irish rebellions in 1649, caused much controversy with parliament and his people. Many people in Ireland supported King Charles I, and parliament was worried that his supporters might launch an attack from Ireland after the execution of the king. Although Ireland never attacked England, the people of Ireland were fighting for King Charles I’s son to become the next King, so Cromwell ,along with 12 000 soldiers, went to end the rebellions. Due to Cromwell’s skills as a soldier, he won numerous battles and restored order to many places across England but to achieve this, Cromwell and his army also murdered thousands of innocent men, women and children. Cromwell used the excuse that Irish rebels had massacred Protestants, women and children, so their punishment
