Oliver Cromwell

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Oliver Cromwell as Lord Protector is often described as a King in all but name, yet this notion lacks a detailed explanation. This book seeks to clarify this concept by illustrating how Cromwell's rule embodied a monarchical regime akin to that of a crowned head. Building on Roy Sherwood's insights from The Court of Oliver Cromwell, it reveals the extent to which Cromwell operated as a sovereign prince, recognized as such by both his compatriots and foreign observers. The work traces the restoration of regal institutions and practices, Cromwell's assumption of kingly prerogatives, and the increasing royal pageantry during his rule. It also documents the early speculation that Cromwell would eventually accept the title of King. The formal offer of a crown in 1657 is revisited, showing that Cromwell hesitated only regarding the title, not the office itself. Consequently, the Protectorship was aligned with the dignity of kingship, effectively transforming Cromwell from a de facto to a de jure King while maintaining the title of Protector. This compromise arrangement suggests that, had he lived longer, Cromwell might have fully formalized his regal status by adopting the title of King, a decision that ultimately contributed to the downfall of the Cromwellian Protectorate. The book employs contemporary printed sources, state papers, ambassadorial reports, diaries, and private correspondence to authentically capture the period's voi