Re: Oliver Cromwell... Ruffians view!
> Oliver Cromwell played a leading role in bringing Charles I to trial and
> execution, and was a key figure during the civil war. Why does he remain
> one of the country's most controversial public figures?
> http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/state/monarchs_leaders/cromwell_01.shtml
> Excerpt:
> In the summer of 1649, Cromwell was sent to Ireland with two objectives:
> to place it firmly under English control; to superintend the confiscation
> the land of all 'rebels' - as a result almost forty per cent of the land
> of Ireland was redistributed from Catholics born in Ireland to Protestants
> born in Britain. His first target was the town of Drogheda north of Dublin
> which he stormed and captured. Perhaps 2,500 men, mainly in arms, were
> killed during the storm and several hundred more - all the officers, all
> Catholic priests and friars, every tenth common soldier - were killed,
> many clubbed to death. It was in accordance with the laws of war, but it
> went far beyond what any General had done in England. Cromwell then
> perpetrated a messier massacre at Wexford. Thereafter most towns
> surrendered on his approach, and he scrupulously observed surrender
> articles and spared the lives of soldiers and civilians. It was and is a
> controversial conquest. But, from the English point of view, it worked. In
> the summer of 1650, he returned to England and was sent off to Scotland,
> where Charles II had been proclaimed and crowned as King of Britain and
> Ireland. In a campaign as unrelenting but less brutal, he wiped out the
> royal armies and established a military occupation of the lowlands and
> west that was to last until 1660. In September 1651 he returned to a
> roman-style triumphant entry in London. One foreign ambassador watching
> predicted that he would soon be king. He was almost right.
Your quote is brutal but selective in the way it deals with its subject matter.. We had this discussion at lunch, let's consider the bigger picture...
Admittedly, he was no angel... but lets put this into context, they were FAR FAR less enlightened times. So, we contend that Cromwell hated the Irish and the Royals.. Was an efficient general and leader of men and perpetrated atrocities. However, arguably and most importantly, lest we lose focus here, he, and his movement, helped birth modern democracy. And that's why he has an impressive statue in parliament square.. His work gave the foundation of Parliament, open debate and gave the ordinary person the rights to be heard.. (the levellers) This system still effectively is the foundation of what we call democracy (arguably)? Which was quite successfully exported round the world.
So maybe, Cromwell, as much as a maligned and portrayed as a warty faced hypocrite as he could be seen.. must be understood as a man who had the chance to make a differnec,was propelled into forefront by his strength of will and carried the revolution (of sorts). This must have taken a brave man to make a stand in those bloody days against tradition and all that had gone before. The movement he was part of (for I suggest he was the figurehead) obviously made a massive change... and lets not under estimate his contribution to democracy though the focus of his ruthlessness should also be considered. But also remember, the kings and the ruling classes at that time were more corrupt than you can ever imagine.
Interesting to read about the origin of the band name 'The Levellers' as well and where this originated..
"The Levellers were small yeomen farmers and 'copyholders', tradesmen who worked in clothing manufacture, small business men - in fact skilled workers and peasants and the 'petty bourgeoisie'. A great number of them had fought in the New Model Army. Cromwell had encouraged his soldiers to be a committed, thinking force with intelligent discipline, but also with intelligent belief in God and in the new England they fought for. Discussion, argument and the printing and circulation of leaflets and tracts were encouraged.
It was this thinking and faith that brought Cromwell's army to victory over the Royalist army of foreign Mercenaries and estate Servants, pressed into service by their Lords and Landowners. The discussions continued during the lull, in 1647, between the two phases of the Civil War. There were perhaps as many civilian Levellers as military men, especially in London, where the leadership (Lilburne, Price, Walwyn and others) were based..."
Basically the common man finally had rights and a voice..
I'd like to hear how Morrissey understands Cromwell.. I personally love the fact he's name checked!! he was also considered in the recent 'Most influential Britians and came a creditable 10th.. http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2002/11_november/25/greatbritons_final.shtml !!
Comments please Mr.Loafing Oaf?
Ruffian