Oliver Cromwell as a Hero or Villain Essay examples -- History Ireland

The aim of this essay, is to answer the long-awaited question 'Was Oliver Cromwell a hero or a villain? This question, is a hard one to answer. James Heath once said "His name and memory stink." In opposition, Samuel Pepys said "People look back and praise him." True? Or Not? This essay will argue Edmond Ludlow's words," How glorious, but then such betrayal!" Oliver Cromwell was neither a hero nor a villain. The evidence and opinions gathered will state, how he went from good to bad, and from bad to evil. Oliver Cromwell, was a puritan gentleman from Huntingdon. He was born on the 25th of April 1599, and brought up in a very wealthy family, and a high social class. Cromwell, was an MP for Huntingdon, from 1628-1629. He had no fighting experience then, and was very worried about the Roundhead army, at the battle of Edgehill. Cromwell then went home to Huntingdon, and began to train his own army. Cromwell was a magnificent soldier. He created a whole new army from scratch, and he trained his army, in a special and unique way. Cromwell would do anything to win his battles, and beat Prince Rupert and if it meant making a whole new army, than so be it. To do this, he picked his people of their ability, 'men of spirit', and not on their status. He did this believing that this was right, as they were doing Gods will. It also made the people happy, and so he continued doing so. He also paid the men. He paid them 12D a day, so that encouraged more men to stay. He was a strict commander, and his orders had to be obeyed. Also, he always chose the right moment in a battle to attack. Some local Roundheads, thought that Cromwell should have ... ...er, but he just did what he felt he had to do. One thing which I agree on, is that he could have gone about it a different way. Also, I agree in one thing that he said, and also believed in. That was that "The end justifies the Means." What he meant by that, was that no matter what happens, something good always comes out at the end, and it's the end outcome that really matters. The words that I will leave you with, are the words of one Richard Baxter, a parliamentarian. We are not sure whether we can trust these words or not, as being a parliamentarian, he would have been a bit sympathetic to Cromwell, but it's quite reasonable. "No man was better and worse spoken of than he, he meant honestly, and was pious till power corrupted him, he thinketh that the end being good and necessary, the necessary means cannot be bad"