THE ULTIMATE
On April 25th, 1599, Oliver Cromwell was born in Huntingdon - Cromwell is a key figure in the development of the UK's democracy - and many democracies derived from the UK around the globe, including the USA and Commonwealth countries.
Cromwell became a Member of Parliament, as a deeply religious stict Protestant Christian, called a Puritan. He was highly critical of King Charles I, seeking the abolition of the monarchy. In the English Civil War, Cromwell fought for the Parliamentarians, against supporters of the King, the Royalists. He was intrumental in the reorganisation of the Parliamentarian forces into the New Model Army, of a paid military where rank was based on ability rather than one's title. The New Model Army, with its religious zeal of fighting against the King, believed to favour Catholicism, was highly effective, so much so it is seen as the leading army in Europe at the time. Cromwell's tactics and control of his forces at the Battle of Naseby in 1645, led to victory at the Battle of Naseby - a turning point in the Civil War. Cromwell pushed for the trial and executino the King in 1649. Following which, he dismissed the Rump Parliament, that was failing to ut in place a new constitution, with the aid of the military forces at his command. Cromwell became England's ruler, refusing to take the title of King, instead he was entitled 'Lord Protector'. His rule is seen as austere due to his determination to put in place religious laws to make England a Godly Commonwealth in his eyes, banning theatres, pubs and Christmas. Thus, he was increasingly acting in ways that were similar to how King Charles I had acted removing liberties. Cromwell reputation was also tarnished by his military actions in Ireland, especially the atrocities at the Siege of Drogheda. Cromwell, died in 1658, being replaced by his son, Richard, who lacking the support of the army was deposed and Charles 1's son Charles II was restored to the throne as the rightful king. Cromwell's statue stands outside of the Houses of Parliament in London - as a memorial to his role in creating the UK's Constitutional Monarchy whereby Parliament has greater influence than a symbolic monarch. The outcome of the English Civil War, is ceremonially played out at the start of each Parliamentary session, at the Queen's Speech - where MPs throw the House of Commons door shut in the face of the monarch's messenger, Black Rod. Black Rod has to knock three times before the door is opened and they can deliver their message from the monarch to the MPs, to attend the monarch's speech in the House of Lords, The MPs then walk at a leisurely pace to the House of Lord, to listen to the monarch's speech - as they choose to go, rather than being ordered to by the monarch.
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