Oliver Cromwell

Oliver Cromwell was the only Republican ruler in English history. He rose from being an obscure country farmer through a brilliant career as a soldier to become Head of State as Lord Protector. But although we have extensive records of his letters and speeches much about his career and his inner motives remains mysterious.Through a wide variety of primary sources this book will consider what drove Cromwell as a soldier politician statesman and religious visionary; how he saw his own mission and how others viewed him. Ultimately we confront a haunting question: was Cromwell a man driven by visions of a free and just society or by ambition and self-interest; a principled defender of civil and religious liberties or a bigot and tyrant?