History UsefulNotes / OliverCromwell

* "Series/TheDevilsWhore", a 2008 TV series in which he is played by Creator/DominicWest.

* ''Literature/PastDoctorAdventures'', Cromwell is a character in Creator/MarkGatiss's 1997 novel ''The Roundheads''.

* ''Literature/PastDoctorAdventures'', a character in Creator/MarkGatiss's 1997 novel ''The Roundheads''.

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Oliver Cromwell was probably one of the most brilliant soldiers and Generals that the British Isles have ever produced. He had no previous military experience, but during the Civil War he quickly proved his tactical genius. His reputation grew as he won battle after battle, and soon he was the most powerful man in Parliament.

The Creator/MontyPython song[[note]]Actually first written and performed by John Cleese in ''Radio/ImSorryIllReadThatAgain''[[/note]] on him is accurate, though some of its tone is contentious (such as him personally sending Colonel Pride, see below). Conversely the 1970 film ''Cromwell'' seriously exaggerates his importance in the run up to war, promotes him to Commander of the Parliamentary forces far too early, ignores the Second Civil War (the defining moment when he backed the army wanting to kill Charles) and ignores his exploits in Ireland, as well as having him laugh when parliament requests he become King. In the movie he considers the offer ridiculous, when in reality he gave it serious consideration (he eventually adopted many of the trappings and ceremonies of monarchy, becoming a king in all but name). It also gets very pro-Cromwell in its last few minutes, saying Britain wouldn’t have democracy without him. It never addresses the fact that people hated him so much that they dug up his corpse and beheaded it.[[note]]Although that was mainly Charles II having a grudge against the people who had his father killed.[[/note]] In the 2003 film ''To Kill A King'' he is portrayed as a Robespierre-like idealist-turned-dictator, committed to republican ideas and popular sovereignty; he is also played by Creator/TimRoth which contrasts with the historical image of Cromwell being a large and imposing man. The 2008 British drama ''The Devil's Whore'', where he is played by ''Series/TheWire'''s Creator/DominicWest, also somewhat romanticises Cromwell, making him far more conflicted and angsty than history paints him.

Cromwell is also remembered for re-admitting Jews to England, 366 years after they had been expelled from the kingdom by [[UsefulNotes/EdwardTheFirst Edward I]] in 1290. They were however not given the same legal rights as their Christian fellows until almost two centuries later, in 1858.

Cromwell is also remembered for re-admitting Jews to England, 366 years after they had been expelled from the kingdom by [[UsefulNotes/EdwardTheFirst Edward I]] in 1290.

The Creator/MontyPython song[[note]]Actually first written and performed by John Cleese in ''Radio/ImSorryIllReadThatAgain''[[/note]] on him is accurate, though some of its tone is contentious (such as him personally sending Colonel Pride, see below). Conversely the 1970 film ''Cromwell'' seriously exaggerates his importance in the run up to war, promotes him to Commander of the Parliamentary forces far too early, ignores the Second Civil War (the defining moment when he backed the army wanting to kill Charles) and ignores his exploits in Ireland, as well as having him laugh when parliament requests he become King. In the movie he considers the offer ridiculous, when in reality he gave it serious consideration (he eventually adopted many of the trappings and ceremonies of monarchy, becoming a king in all but name). It also gets very pro-Cromwell in its last few minutes, saying Britain wouldn’t have democracy without him. It never addresses the fact that people hated him so much that they dug up his corpse and beheaded it.[[note]]Although that was mainly Charles II having a grudge against the people who had his father killed.[[/note]] In the 2003 film ''To Kill A King'' he is portrayed as a Robespierre-like idealist-turned-dictator, committed to republican ideas and popular sovereignty; he is also played by Creator/TimRoth which contrasts with the historical image of Cromwell being a large and imposing man. The 2008 British drama ''The Devil's Whore'', where he is played by ''Series/TheWire'''s Dominic West, also somewhat romanticises Cromwell, making him far more conflicted and angsty than history paints him.

British politicians and the British people themselves tend to romanticize Oliver Cromwell as the champion of freedom and democracy against a cruel and totalitarian monarchy. His statue still occupies pride of place outside the Houses of Parliament and in 2002 he was voted 10th place in a poll of the [[Series/OneHundredGreatestBritons 100 Greatest Britons]]. His [[VindicatedByHistory posthumous vindication]] is relatively recent, though. Until the 19th century he was considered, even by Whigs and radicals, as an extremist and dictator. It wasn't until later that both the man and the historical and political forces that drove him were re-assessed.

Outside of England, his legacy remains controversial... at '''best'''. The Irish largely remember Cromwell as a really evil bastard who tried to starve and slaughter as many of them as possible. The Scots, at least those who look with scepticism upon their fanatical Puritan brethren, remember him as a man who ''despite being a fanatical Puritan himself'' thought the Scottish Presbyterians were really taking it all a bit far. ''"I beseech you by the bowels of Christ,"'' he wrote to the General Assembly, ''"think ye it possible ye may be mistaken."''

* A [[HateSink negative portrayal]] of Cromwell (who's [[EveryoneCallsHimBarkeep only referred to as "the Lord Protector"]]) is featured as the main antagonist in ''WesternAnimation/{{Wolfwalkers}}'', produced by the Irish animation studio Creator/CartoonSaloon.

* Is a major focus in the first season of Creator/MikeDuncan's ''Podcast/{{Revolutions}}'' podcast covering the English Civil Wars.

The Creator/MontyPython song[[note]]Actually first written and performed by John Cleese in ''Radio/ImSorryIllReadThatAgain''[[/note]] on him is accurate, though some of its tone is contentious (such as him personally sending Colonel Pride, see below). Conversely the 1970 film ''Cromwell'' seriously exaggerates his importance in the run up to war, promotes him to Commander of the Parliamentary forces far too early, ignores the Second Civil War (the defining moment when he backed the army wanting to kill Charles) and ignores his exploits in Ireland, as well as having him laugh when parliament requests he become King. In the movie he considers the offer ridiculous, when in reality he gave it serious consideration (he eventually adopted many of the trappings and ceremonies of monarchy, becoming a king in all but name). It also gets very pro-Cromwell in its last few minutes, saying Britain wouldn’t have democracy without him. It never addresses the fact that people hated him so much that they dug up his corpse and beheaded it.[[note]]Although that was mainly Charles II having a grudge against the guy who had his father killed.[[/note]] In the 2003 film ''To Kill A King'' he is portrayed as a Robespierre-like idealist-turned-dictator, committed to republican ideas and popular sovereignty; he is also played by Creator/TimRoth which contrasts with the historical image of Cromwell being a large and imposing man. The 2008 British drama ''The Devil's Whore'', where he is played by ''Series/TheWire'''s Dominic West, also somewhat romanticises Cromwell, making him far more conflicted and angsty than history paints him.

The Creator/MontyPython song[[note]]Actually first written and performed by John Cleese in ''Radio/ImSorryIllReadThatAgain''[[/note]] on him is accurate, though some of its tone is contentious (such as him personally sending Colonel Pride, see below). Conversely the 1970 film ''Cromwell'' seriously exaggerates his importance in the run up to war, promotes him to Commander of the Parliamentary forces far too early, ignores the Second Civil War (the defining moment when he backed the army wanting to kill Charles) and ignores his exploits in Ireland, as well as having him laugh when parliament requests he become King. In the movie he considers the offer ridiculous, when in reality he gave it serious consideration (he eventually adopted many of the trappings and ceremonies of monarchy, becoming a king in all but name). It also gets very pro-Cromwell in its last few minutes, saying Britain wouldn’t have democracy without him. It never addresses the fact that people hated him so much that they dug up his corpse and beheaded it. In the 2003 film ''To Kill A King'' he is portrayed as a Robespierre-like idealist-turned-dictator, committed to republican ideas and popular sovereignty; he is also played by Creator/TimRoth which contrasts with the historical image of Cromwell being a large and imposing man. The 2008 British drama ''The Devil's Whore'', where he is played by ''Series/TheWire'''s Dominic West, also somewhat romanticises Cromwell, making him far more conflicted and angsty than history paints him.