Oliver Cromwell in popular culture facts for kids

Oliver Cromwell, 1899, by Hamo Thornycroft outside the Palace of Westminster, London

Oliver Cromwell (born April 25, 1599 – died September 3, 1658) was an important English military and political leader. He later became the Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland. This means he ruled these countries during a time when there was no king. Cromwell is a key figure in English history, especially during the English Civil War. His life and actions have inspired many stories, plays, films, and songs over the centuries.

Cromwell in Books and Stories

Oliver Cromwell has appeared in many books, from historical novels to fantasy adventures. Writers often show him in different ways, sometimes as a strong leader and other times as a difficult figure.

Early Novels Featuring Cromwell

One of the first novels to include Cromwell was Le philosophe anglais (1731–1739) by Abbé Prévost. This book showed Cromwell in a very negative light, as someone who was not honest and was a bit of a bully. The main character of the novel, Mr. Cleveland, is even said to be Cromwell's secret son.

Later, the French Romantic movement, a style of art and literature, became interested in Cromwell. Victor Hugo's play Cromwell (1827) is a famous example. It shows Cromwell as a powerful and determined leader, even if he was sometimes harsh. A painting by Hippolyte Delaroche in 1831 also showed Cromwell as a strong person who changed the world. This painting showed Cromwell visiting the body of King Charles I after the king was executed.

Cromwell in Historical Fiction

Cromwell also appears in classic adventure stories. In Twenty Years After (1845), the sequel to The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas, Cromwell is seen in a few scenes. This story takes place during the Second English Civil War. The main bad guy in the book is even shown as Cromwell's secretary and a spy.

Other novels have explored different sides of Cromwell:

• Oliver Cromwell (1869) by Julius Rodenberg, showed Cromwell as a strict but fair ruler, focusing on his role in the trial of King Charles I.
• Miriam Cromwell, Royalist (1897) by Dora Greenwell McChesney, looked at Cromwell's relationship with his niece, Miriam.
• The Governor of England (1913) by Marjorie Bowen, gave a balanced view of Cromwell's life, showing both his good and challenging sides.
• In 1649: A Novel of a Year (1938) by Jack Lindsay, Cromwell is shown as a powerful leader who went against some of the ideas of the Leveller movement, which wanted more equality.
• The White Horse (1977) by Robert Leeson, tells the story of a mixed-race hero who joins Cromwell's army and becomes his friend.

Cromwell in Fantasy and Alternate History

Some authors have imagined Cromwell in different worlds or timelines:

• In Orson Scott Card's The Tales of Alvin Maker series, a doctor is able to prevent Cromwell's death. This changes history, meaning the king does not return to power.
• Neal Stephenson's The Baroque Cycle series mentions Cromwell and his supporters often, even though Cromwell himself does not appear in the books.
• The Adventures of Luther Arkwright, a comic book series, shows a future England ruled by a descendant of Cromwell.
• Kate Forsyth included Cromwell in her fantasy series The Chain of Charms.
• In the 1632 series by Eric Flint, Cromwell is imprisoned by King Charles I because the king fears what Cromwell might do. Cromwell later escapes and searches for his children.
• The Morganville Vampires novels feature a character who is strongly hinted to be Cromwell, now a vampire living in modern-day Texas.
• In the Japanese light novel series Zero no Tsukaima, a character named Oliver Cromwell leads a rebellion in a country similar to Great Britain.

Cromwell in Theatre, Film, and Television

Oliver Cromwell has been brought to life by many actors on stage and screen.

• George Merritt played him in the 1937 film The Vicar of Bray.
• Edmund Willard and Bill Fraser both played him in 1949 films.
• John Le Mesurier made a brief appearance as Cromwell in the 1958 film The Moonraker.
• Patrick Wymark also had a short role as Cromwell in the 1968 film Witchfinder General.
• The 1970 film Cromwell starred Richard Harris in the main role.
• Bernard Hepton played Cromwell in the TV series Churchill's People and in a 1998 radio series called God's Revolution.
• Warren Clarke played a funny version of Cromwell in the comedy show Blackadder: The Cavalier Years.
• Alan Howard appeared as Cromwell in the 1989 film The Return of the Musketeers.
• The 2003 film To Kill a King focused on the relationship between Cromwell (played by Tim Roth) and another important leader, Fairfax.
• Jack Shepherd's 2004 play Through a Cloud imagined a meeting between Cromwell and the famous writer John Milton.
• Lawry Lewin played Cromwell in the popular children's sketch show Horrible Histories.
• Howard Brenton's 2012 play 55 Days explored Cromwell's efforts to find a solution with King Charles I. Douglas Henshall played Cromwell in this play.

Cromwell in Music

Cromwell has also been mentioned or featured in various musical works.

• Rutland Boughton's Symphony No. 1 (1904–05) was even named "Oliver Cromwell."
• Many popular songs have included references to Cromwell:
  • "Oliver Cromwell" by Monty Python (1989) is a fun song that tells facts about his life.
  • "You'll Never Beat the Irish" (2001) by the Wolfe Tones mentions Cromwell's impact on Ireland.
  • "The Men Behind the Wire" (1971), also by the Wolfe Tones, refers to Cromwell's actions in Ireland.
  • "Oliver's Army" (1979) is a hit song by Elvis Costello.
  • "Irish Blood, English Heart" (2004) by Morrissey includes lyrics about people's feelings towards Cromwell.
  • The band Reverend Bizarre has a song called "Cromwell" on their 2005 album.
  • Flogging Molly mentions Cromwell in their 2004 song "Tobacco Island," which is about Irish people being sent to Barbados.
  • "Anthem for Doomed Youth" (2015) by The Libertines includes a line that mentions Cromwell.
  • "Cromwell's Skull" (2016) by Steeleye Span tells a story from the point of view of Cromwell's skull.
• The British rock band New Model Army even took their name from Cromwell's army, which was known for its discipline and strength.