Oliver Cromwell.
Hero or Enemy of the people?
March 1657
Oliver , we
want you to
be our new
King!
It’s thanks to
him that we
have overcome
our enemies.
We look
forward to
peace under his
leadership.
Oliver Cromwell is a
good man. He has led us
through the Civil War,
one of the most
dangerous times in our
history.
Based upon these statements what did people think of Cromwell in 1657?
January 1661

Oliver Cromwell had
been dead for two
years. He was called a
traitor by Parliament,
and his dead body was
hung.
At last Oliver
Cromwell is getting
what he deserves.
Based upon these statements what did people think of Cromwell in 1661?
Why may people have changed their minds about him?
Oliver Cromwell Fact File

This portrait was
painted around 1650
when Cromwell was
the most powerful
man in England.
“Paint my picture exactly like me
and do not flatter me at all. Show
all these wrinkles, pimples, warts
and everything else as you see me.
Otherwise I will not pay a farthing
for it.”
Oliver Cromwell Fact File
He enjoyed outdoor activities
such as
hunting and riding.
He was a very emotional man.
He was bad tempered.
He could be very rude to people.
He believed in honesty and
straight talking.
He was not well dressed.
When he addressed Parliament in
1640 his clothes were dirty.
Oliver Cromwell Fact File
A modern day
doctor may say
that Cromwell
suffered from
depression.
When Cromwell
first went to
Parliament he
made many
simple mistakes.
Cromwell was 43 years old
when he fought in the
English Civil War. He
‘enjoyed the experience’.
Sometimes Cromwell
would take days to
come to a decision.
At other times he
made snap decisions.
Cromwell made many
enemies. Some say he was
cruel and selfish. Cromwell
maintained that he was
acting in the best interests
of the country at all times.
Oliver Cromwell Fact File - Task

Create a file of words that describe Oliver
Cromwell.
They could be your own words or words already
used to describe him.
Positive Words Negative
Words
Neutral
Words
Positive Words
Negative Words
Neutral
Words
Oliver Cromwell and Religion
Why was religion so
important to Cromwell?
Oliver Cromwell and Religion

In the 1600’s most
people in Britain
were religious.

They would go to
church every
Sunday.
Oliver Cromwell and Religion
There were two main religions

Catholic (Catholicism)

Protestant (Protestantism)
Oliver Cromwell and Religion
The Catholic Church






The Pope in Rome is the head of the church
The Bible and services should be in Latin
Churches should be richly decorated
Priests should wear colourful clothes
Priests should not marry
Celebrate Christmas and Easter
Oliver Cromwell and Religion
The Church
 The King is the head of the Church
 The Bible is in English
 Some decorated clothing allowed
 Priests can wear colourful clothes?
 Priests can marry
 Celebrate Christmas and Easter.
Oliver Cromwell and Religion
The Puritans.
 God is the head of the Church not the King
 The Bible and services should be in English
 The churches should be plain
 Priests should not wear colourful clothing
 Priests can marry
 Christmas and Easter should not be
celebrated
Oliver Cromwell and Religion
Task
1. Why did Catholics dislike the Church
of England?
2. Why did Puritans dislike the Church of
England so much?
3. Does the Church of England sound
more Puritan than Catholic?
4. To which ‘group’ did Oliver Cromwell
belong?
Cromwell
Hero or Enemy
of the People?