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Oliver Cromwell is generally remembered as a soldier, indeed
many military historians have labelled him the finest General Britain
ever produced.
The soldierly myths surrounding Cromwell start at an early age.
One story tells of a visit by King James I to the home of Cromwell's
uncle. The young boys Charles Stuart, later to be King, and Oliver
fought in the garden, a fight which Oliver won. The story is almost
certainly false but provides an insight to Cromwell's later reputation.
Cromwell, given the rank of Captain, was quick to join the war when
it started forming his own troop of horse. His natural abilities
as a military leader were demonstrated early when, arriving at the
Battle of Edgehill to observe Parliaments defeat, he recognised
the need for better men and recommended this to the Suffolk commissioners
in 1643. The provisioning, training and disciplining of the army
were to be constant demands from Cromwell for he believed them to
be the most important elements in an army's success.
Promoted to Colonel and given control of his own Regiment of cavalry
in 1643 Cromwell was to enjoy numerous successes, particularly in
the East. These victories raised Cromwell's reputation. By 1644
he was second in command of the Eastern Army with the rank of LieutenantGeneral.
At Marston Moor in 1644, the largest single battle of the Civil
War, what was nearly a Parliamentarian defeat was turned into victory
by Cromwell's efforts. It was however at the personal cost of a
neck wound from the cavalry of Prince Rupert.
The formation of the New Model Army, was due in the main to Cromwell's
political actions and he was appointed as second in command under
Fairfax. The first ever national army and forerunner of the modern
British Army, the New Model Army was 22,000 men strong. At first
distrusted its' decisive victory at Naseby in 1645 was largely due
to Cromwell's strategy. From then on the New Model Army, well trained
and equipped and properly paid won increasing respect.
In the second Civil War, which was to last just six months, Cromwell
was responsible for victories in South Wales and at Preston where
he defeated the invading Scottish army of Charles I. In 1649 it
was Cromwell who was chosen to lead a campaign against the Irish
rebellion. On his return in 1650 Cromwell was appointed as Commander
of the whole army. It was in this role that he defeated the Scots
in 1650 at Dunbar, generally recognised as his greatest victory,
and again in the final battle of the war at Worcester in 1651.
Cromwell's reputation however was not all glorious, he could when
necessary be ruthless, even cruel. At the storming of Basing House
in 1645 over 100 people were put to the sword, at Winchester Cromwell's
soldiers ransacked homes, whilst his treatment of the Irish is legendary.
Cromwell's control of his army was also to decline in later years.
The strength and increasing radicalism of the army made it a considerable
force to be reckoned with and as Lord protector Cromwell did not
always succeed in governing it effectively.
"I had rather have a plain russet-coated captain that knows
what he fights for, and loves what he knows, than that which you
call a gentleman and is nothing else." Cromwell
1643.
"It is an odd thing, Mr Ireton, that every man that wages
war believes that God is on his side. I'll warrant God must often
wonder who is on his."
Letter from Cromwell to Henry Ireton,
his son-in-law.
Cromwell's Ironsides
At the first outbreak of war Cromwell joined the Parliamentarian
army as a Cavalry officer, forming his own troop of horse. Arriving
at the Battle of Edgehill in time to miss the main action Cromwell
was able to see the Royalist cavalry of Prince Rupert in action.
Rupert's cavalry were impressive and Cromwell realised
that such a force would be needed if Parliament were to compete.
By early 1643 Cromwell's troop had become a regiment. Re-trained
and re-equipped they soon acquired the name "Cromwell's Ironsides",
after Cromwell's own nickname of "Old Ironsides". Each
trooper was personally selected on merit. In the main these were
men of middling social rank who actively believed in the Parliamentarian
cause.
Cromwell's regiment were known for their extreme piety and the discipline
under which they lived. So strong was the discipline of the regiment
that their behaviour marked them out as a model regiment in comparison
with the majority of troops on both sides of the war.
Discipline and training helped to make the Ironsides victorious
in many battles, notably in the East in 1643. Even when the parliamentarian
army as a whole faced defeat the performance of the Ironsides attracted
favourable comment from observers. At the Battle of Marston Moor
it was due to the Ironsides that Parliament won an outstanding victory.
The performance of his regiment was to provide Cromwell himself
with rapid advancement both militarily and politically.
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The Soldier