Oliver Cromwell rose through the ranks of the English military from commanding a single cavalry troop to leading the entire army. After removing King Charles I from power during the English Civil War, Cromwell ruled as Lord Protector of the Commonwealth from 1653-1659. During his conquest of Ireland, Cromwell's forces massacred over 3,500 Irish at the siege of Drogheda and killed 2,000 soldiers and 1,500 civilians at the siege of Wexford, demonstrating his harsh treatment of Catholics and the Irish people during his rule.

1. Oliver Cromwell

2. Cromwell’s Life
• Nicknamed “Old Ironsides”, started in the English military as
commanding a single Cavalry troop to commanding the entire
army
• After removing Charles I from power, Cromwell ruled as Lord
Protector of the Commonwealth
• Held campaigns to conquer Ireland and Scotland, forming the
short-lived Commonwealth, which lasted from 1653-1659
• During the English civil war, fought on the side of the
Parliamentarians, against the Royalists
• After his death and the return of Royalists to power, his
corpse was dug up, hung in chains, and beheaded

3. Messin’ with the Irish
• Opposed to the Roman Catholic Church, Cromwell’s treatment
of Catholics with persecution intensified during the Irish
Conquest
• In the siege of Drogheda, over 3500 Irish were massacred
after the towns capture
• In the siege of Wexford, 2000 soldiers and 1500 civilians were
killed during surrender negotiations
• Cromwell banned the public act of Catholicism, including
burning and murdering catholic priests
• About 12,000 Irishmen were sold into slavery to the
Commonwealth