Oliver Cromwell

Samuel Rawson Gardiner (1829 - 1902)

The following work gives within a short compass a history of Oliver Cromwell from a biographical point of view. The text has been revised by the author. (From the preface to the 1909 edition)

This biography considers closely both the actions and the motivations of Oliver Cromwell in the many roles he took on during his life. Gardiner is careful to put Cromwell into the context of his times -- turbulent, volatile and disorienting -- as the three Kingdoms of the Stuart dynasty were torn by bitter internal strife as well as making war upon each other. The author gives close attention to how Cromwell navigated the many crises he faced as an individual, as a member of parliament, as an officer in and then commander of the New Model Army, and finally leading the Commonwealth as Lord Protector.

The author, Samuel Rawson Gardiner, was a distinguished English historian who taught and wrote during the Victorian period. He focused his scholarly work on the history of Britain during the 17th century. He is regarded as one of the preeminent historians of the period, whose groundbreaking research into sources remains foundational for scholars of the period to the present day. - Summary by Tom Booker

Genre(s): Biography & Autobiography, Early Modern

Language: English

Keyword(s): commonwealth (9), oliver cromwell (9), english civil war (6), war of the three kingdoms (1), protectorate (1)

Section Chapter Reader Time
Play 01 Chapter I: King and Parliament, Part 1 tombooker
00:56:58
Play 02 Chapter I: King and Parliament, Part 2 tombooker
00:58:19
Play 03 Chapter II: The New Model Army and the Presbyterians, Part 1 tombooker
00:49:10
Play 04 Chapter II: The New Model Army and the Presbyterians, Part 2 tombooker
00:41:42
Play 05 Chapter III: The New Model Army and the King, Part 1 tombooker
00:53:00
Play 06 Chapter III: The New Model Army and the King, Part 2 tombooker
00:51:02
Play 07 Chapter III: The New Model Army and the King, Part 3 tombooker
00:34:40
Play 08 Chapter IV: The Last Years of the Long Parliament, Part 1 tombooker
00:52:21
Play 09 Chapter IV: The Last Years of the Long Parliament, Part 2 tombooker
00:44:48
Play 10 Chapter V: The Nominated Parliament and the Protectorate, Part 1 tombooker
00:56:38
Play 11 Chapter V: The Nominated Parliament and the Protectorate, Part 2 tombooker
00:49:30
Play 12 Chapter VI: A Parliamentary Constitution, Part 1 tombooker
00:47:46
Play 13 Chapter VI: A Parliamentary Constitution, Part 2 tombooker
00:45:33
Play 14 Chapter VI: A Parliamentary Constitution, Part 3 tombooker
00:27:51