Oliver Cromwell has long been a controversial historical figure. Historians such as Samuel Rawson Gardiner have praised Cromwell for being “greater than his work” (Gardiner, 316), whilst others have been more critical of the man. Winston Churchill, in particular, denounced him as a tyrant and condemned his “lasting bane” in the society in which he lived (Churchill, 263). The latter charge is a significant one. There has been some debate over whether Cromwell’s rule as Lord Protector was, essentially, a monarchy. Though Cromwell ultimately decided against taking the English crown when it was offered to him in 1657, and he claimed to harbour anti-monarchist views, there were evidently some distinctive parallels between his Protectorate and a regular English monarchy.
Kingly Ambitions
The idea of a monarchy was certainly not repressed during Cromwell’s protectorate. In fact, Cromwell himself had brought the topic up on more than one occasion. In 1652, he questioned Bulstrode Whitlocke about the possibility of a man making himself king; it is reasonable to assume that he was thinking of his own rule when he did this. Whitlocke responded negatively and told Cromwell that he already possessed the powers of a king. This strongly indicates that Cromwell was already acting like a monarch even though he was not a king in name. In fact, the association of Cromwell with a monarch emerged as early as 1649. A contemporary pamphlet spoke of a crown for Cromwell at the same time as talking about a coffin for the late king, Charles I. Clearly, the public was beginning to perceive Cromwell’s protectorate as being akin to a monarchy.
A King in All but Name?
It is telling that when Cromwell was offered the crown in 1657, he gave the offer much consideration. He even informed a group of Parliament members that he had accepted the proposal before abruptly changing his mind. This episode makes it clear that, despite asserting his aversion to the title, Cromwell was not entirely opposed to taking on the role of king. It also tells that his son, Richard, inherited the Protectorate from Cromwell after his father’s death. His inheritance of the office was tantamount to the system of primogeniture, which the English monarchy used to determine who would succeed the current monarch.
Furthermore, Cromwell’s son, Henry, was referred to as a prince when he entered the entertainment grounds at Spring Gardens. That Cromwell’s children were being treated like sons of a monarch only adds to the idea that his Protectorate was a monarchy in disguise.
When Cromwell was sworn in as Lord Protector for the second time in 1657, his attire was striking and reminiscent of what a monarch would wear during their coronation. It was recorded that he wore a purple velvet robe and carried a sceptre in his hand. Arguably, these clothing choices reinforced the idea of a monarchy without explicitly stating that Cromwell was king. After all, purple symbolised royalty and was generally reserved only for monarchs and high-ranking nobles because it was so expensive to make. It was not until 1856 that the colour was made available to the public. When Cromwell was installed as Lord Protector, purple would have undoubtedly been associated with royalty. This, alongside the sceptre he purportedly carried, did not reflect his status as Lord Protector of the realm. Instead, it would have evoked a strong sense of kingship and authority.
Furthermore, Cromwell’s son, Henry, was referred to as a prince when he entered the entertainment grounds at Spring Gardens. That Cromwell’s children were being treated like sons of a monarch only adds to the idea that his Protectorate was a monarchy in disguise.
When Cromwell was sworn in as Lord Protector for the second time in 1657, his attire was striking and reminiscent of what a monarch would wear during their coronation. It was recorded that he wore a purple velvet robe and carried a sceptre in his hand. Arguably, these clothing choices reinforced the idea of a monarchy without explicitly stating that Cromwell was king. After all, purple symbolised royalty and was generally reserved only for monarchs and high-ranking nobles because it was so expensive to make. It was not until 1856 that the colour was made available to the public. When Cromwell was installed as Lord Protector, purple would have undoubtedly been associated with royalty. This, alongside the sceptre he purportedly carried, did not reflect his status as Lord Protector of the realm. Instead, it would have evoked a strong sense of kingship and authority.
Public Perception
The public perception that Cromwell’s regime was functioning like a monarchy was also rife. When Cromwell dissolved the Rump Parliament of 1653, rumours of kingship spread prominently across Europe. The question of kingship was particularly prevalent in England throughout the 1650s, with the circulation of numerous pamphlets that supported the idea of monarchical rule. One such pamphlet, known as “Monarchy Asserted,” depicted Cromwell and his government in a monarchical light. It was not just a case of Cromwell and his advisers acting equivalent to a monarchy; the general populace also appeared to view the Protectorate in the same way. Importantly, this view was not just restricted to people at home. It was said that the French King, Louis XIV, hailed Cromwell as a sovereign – thus demonstrating that he was seen as a king universally despite not bearing the title itself.
A New King Charles?
For all that Cromwell was critical of Charles I, there appears to have been an unsettling similarity between them that only emerged during Cromwell’s rule: their tendency to dissolve Parliament. This very habit had been a contributing factor in Charles’s execution in 1649 and one of the leading causes for calling him a tyrant. Yet, Cromwell ended up doing the exact same thing twice. Once in 1653 (before his Protectorate), when he dissolved the Rump Parliament, and again in 1655 when he dissolved his own Protectorate Parliament. Although there may be various reasons that Cromwell wished to dissolve his Protectorate Parliament, his inability to work with them at least implied that he wished to rule autonomously. Indeed, his dissolutions contradict his earlier claims that Parliament was necessary. Like Charles, Cromwell may have wanted to rule on his own – and when it became clear that he was going to conflict with Parliament, he used his enhanced powers as Lord Protector and had them dissolved.
Was Cromwell Effectively a Monarch?
Although it has been argued that Cromwell did not wish to act autonomously, the evidence suggests that he at least harboured monarchical desires. Admittedly, he did support having a Parliament in his regime and initially seemed willing to give them a fair share of power. However, he later contradicted himself when he dissolved his first Protectorate Parliament.
In theory, the monarchy died with Charles I. In practice, it seems that Cromwell managed to at least keep the idea of the institution alive through his accumulation of power and actions that mirrored a monarchy. He eventually rejected the crown but ruled as a monarch might have done in other ways. Besides, his monarchical status was not only seen by him and his close advisors but also by the general public and even outside of England. Moreover, Cromwell was treated as though he had been king even upon his death. The funeral of King James I of England was used as a basis for his own. The funeral effigy apparently wore royal purple robes and a crown while carrying an orb and sceptre. This imagery further reinforces the notion of Cromwell having been a king without a title.
Clearly, the idea of Cromwell’s Protectorate being a monarchy in all but name was widespread. Even though Cromwell had sought to abolish the monarchy and bring stability to England by having Charles I executed, many felt that his Protectorate had been a monarchy disguised under a different name.
In theory, the monarchy died with Charles I. In practice, it seems that Cromwell managed to at least keep the idea of the institution alive through his accumulation of power and actions that mirrored a monarchy. He eventually rejected the crown but ruled as a monarch might have done in other ways. Besides, his monarchical status was not only seen by him and his close advisors but also by the general public and even outside of England. Moreover, Cromwell was treated as though he had been king even upon his death. The funeral of King James I of England was used as a basis for his own. The funeral effigy apparently wore royal purple robes and a crown while carrying an orb and sceptre. This imagery further reinforces the notion of Cromwell having been a king without a title.
Clearly, the idea of Cromwell’s Protectorate being a monarchy in all but name was widespread. Even though Cromwell had sought to abolish the monarchy and bring stability to England by having Charles I executed, many felt that his Protectorate had been a monarchy disguised under a different name.
University graduate in History and Social Sciences, with a particular interest in Early Modern history, Ancient Rome, and Shakespeare.
