Oliver Cromwell.
Hero or Enemy of the
people?

March 1657

Oliver , we

want you

to be our

new King!

Oliver Cromwell is a

good man. He has led

us through the Civil

War, one of the most

dangerous times in

our history.

It’s thanks to

him that we

have

overcome our

enemies. We

look forward to

peace under

his leadership.

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.

Sometimes
Cromwell would
take days to come
to a decision. At
other times he
made snap
decisions.

Cromwell was 43 years
old when he fought in
the English Civil War. He
‘enjoyed the
experience’.

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.



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

Oliver Cromwell Fact File -
Task

Positive Words

Negative Words

Neutral

Words

Oliver Cromwell and
Religion

Why was religion so

important to

Cromwell?



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?

Oliver Cromwell and
Religion

Cromwell

Hero or Enemy

of the People?