Historical Notes: Oliver Cromwell, King without a Crown

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SUNDAY 25 April 1999 marked the 400th anniversary of the birth of arguably one of the most misunderstood figures in British history, Oliver Cromwell.

Reinforced no doubt by Victorian dramatic representations of events from his life, the popular stereotypical image of Cromwell as Lord Protector from 1653 to 1658 is that of the po-faced military dictator clattering austerely about the ex-royal palaces in dull apparel, riding boots, replete with spurs, and even the odd piece of armour. This in spite of the fact that as Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell not only functioned as a king but also dressed, acted and lived very much in the style of a king, even though he was head …