Cromwell's Soldiers

Oliver Cromwell helped turn the Parliamentary Army into one of the most formidable military machines of the era. The so-called New Model Army brought a professionalism and esprit de corps that helped turn England from a provincial backwater embroiled in its own difficulties into a major player. Having won the English Civil War, Cromwell turned his attention on the Scots and the Irish before sending forces out to the wider Empire in an attempt to bring Cavaliers and their sympathisers to heal. Additionally, the Parliamentary Navy had to take on the rising power of the Netherlands. The military was the primary power in the land during the era of Commonwealth. Therefore, when the military lost confidence in the leadership of the Commonwealth, it was from their ranks that the Stuarts were invited to return.

Timelines | 17th Century Timeline