{"id":197,"date":"2014-08-19T17:00:59","date_gmt":"2014-08-19T17:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.olivercromwell.org\/wordpress\/?page_id=197"},"modified":"2014-09-27T15:32:58","modified_gmt":"2014-09-27T15:32:58","slug":"to-what-extent-were-oliver-cromwells-actions-machiavellian","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.olivercromwell.org\/wordpress\/articles\/to-what-extent-were-oliver-cromwells-actions-machiavellian\/","title":{"rendered":"To what extent were Oliver Cromwell’s actions Machiavellian?"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Jack Graham<\/em><\/p>\n

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Synopsis by Serrie Meakins<\/p>\n

Machiavelli thought rulers should choose logic over morality and practicality over benevolence. Mr Graham examines several of Cromwell\u2019s actions to see how far they can be considered Machiavellian. He shows how events in Ireland, choices made during the Protectorate and in terms of foreign policy, Cromwell\u2019s actions can he said to be Machiavellian. Yet for all this Graham concludes that there was a crucial difference: Machiavelli\u2019s Prince was a man obsessed by power whereas Cromwell was motivated by God. His actions stemmed from his religious beliefs and therefore Mr Graham concludes he was Gods Englishman, not Machiavelli\u2019s Prince. [A good article to read for the old chestnut \u2018Was Cromwell a Dictator?\u2019]<\/em><\/p>\n

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Clarendon saw Cromwell as Machiavelli\u2019s Prince in action, regarding him with a mixture of repulsion and admiration. \u2018Cromwell, though the greatest dissembler living, always made his hypocrisy of singular use and benefit to him, and never did anything, how ungracious or imprudent soever it seemed to be, but what was necessary to the design.\u20191<\/sup><\/p>\n

The Earl of Clarendon was not Oliver Cromwell\u2019s most enthusiastic supporter, but, as Christopher Hill suggests, there may be more to this comment than simply an expression of aversion. Hill\u2019s comparison of Cromwell with the sixteenth century Italian thinker, Machiavelli, is worth examining closer. In his treatise The Prince<\/em>, Machiavelli argued that rulers should pursue all courses of action \u2018necessary to the design\u2019 of keeping power. This humanist and realist view of staying in power made The Prince<\/em> a shocking book for contemporaries. Machiavelli\u2019s overall message, and the predicate of many of his ideas, is that if a ruler wants to keep undisputed control of his kingdom then he should choose logic over morality and practicality over benevolence. He must appear to embody virtues and morality, but ignore them when necessary. Cromwell actively exercised power, often crushing his opponents and taking ruthless steps to secure power. This is in itself Machiavellian, and it seems fitting to compare Cromwell\u2019s actions to what Machiavelli recommends for a ruler.<\/p>\n

It is important to note that there is no evidence that Cromwell had read The Prince<\/em>, and it is extremely doubtful that Cromwell was directly influenced by Machiavelli. The Prince would not have been Cromwell\u2019s handbook on power, like it was for Hitler or other major modern figures, and in the seventeenth century Machiavelli\u2019s writings had come to be seen as works of evil \u2013 especially to a religious man like Cromwell. Therefore, there is little point in attempting to show a direct influence when neither the evidence nor the likelihood is there, given Cromwell\u2019s stance on religious values. However, one can analyse the way in which Cromwell governed, instead of joining the debate about what his position was. Perhaps it is more relevant to study what a government does than what it is \u2013 after all, we base our opinions on people predominantly from their actions. This article will consider key aspects of Cromwell\u2019s career, to see if he was, however unconsciously, a Machiavellian.<\/p>\n

I<\/p>\n

Cromwell\u2019s invasion of Ireland in 1649 appears to be very Machiavellian. This begins with the reasons for invading. Machiavelli talks of setting up colonies which are \u2018the keys to the country\u2019.2<\/sup> Christopher Hill agrees, stating that the \u2018international situation… demanded that the back door be swiftly slammed and bolted\u2019.3<\/sup> Ireland was the ideal stepping stone for Charles II, and Cromwell was strategically justified in his decision to invade. Machiavelli would almost definitely agree with this decision. Another factor which affected the invasion was English ethnic, intellectual and social superiority over the Irish. Hill notes that even people like John Milton \u2018shared the view that the Irish were culturally so inferior that their subordination was natural and necessary\u2019. In fact, in a conversation with Edmund Ludlow, Cromwell had described Ireland as \u2018a clean paper\u2019, which, following the victory of the New Model Army, could be remodelled in the interests of England.4<\/sup> Machiavelli notes in The Prince<\/em> that often the best thing to do, when having taken a foreign land, is to crush it and rebuild again. This view is both rational and immoral: two words that might be used to describe the Irish invasion of 1649.<\/p>\n

Above all other reasons for invasion, though, was Cromwell\u2019s yearning for revenge after the 1641 Irish rebellion. This and his hatred of Catholicism is summed up perfectly in his infamous ferocious Declaration to the Irish Catholic clergy of January 1650. In his first speech to his soldiers in Ireland, August 1649, Cromwell called the Irish \u2018barbarous and bloodthirsty\u2019.5<\/sup> What ensued would reflect this hatred, with actions for which history has forever condemned him. Machiavelli stated that \u2018the injury therefore that you do to a man should be such that you need not fear for his revenge\u2019.6<\/sup> Certainly, this was how it would be when Cromwell laid siege to Drogheda and established a \u2018reputation for cruelty and savagery.\u20197<\/sup> Mich\u00e9al O Si\u00f3chru calls it \u2018a war of extermination\u2019.8<\/sup> No prisoners were taken and no mercy given. Perhaps this is because Cromwell did not want to get bogged down and make the war even more costly than it was. In the same way, after Wexford, Cromwell stated that the English \u2018put all to the sword that came in their way\u2019.9<\/sup> This part of the campaign was conducted according to Machiavellian principles.<\/p>\n

Machiavelli stated that \u2018a prince should be a fox, to know the traps and snares; and a lion, to be able to frighten the wolves\u2019.10<\/sup> During the invasion, Cromwell introduced elements of \u2018fox\u2019 as he stepped up efforts for intelligence, and also used elements of a \u2018lion\u2019 as he crushed opposition and consequently scared opposing soldiers into joining forces. Cromwell also had to be cunning in order to get parliament to fund his soldiers: Machiavelli said a leader must be good to the people \u2018to enable him to increase the pay of the soldiers\u2019.11<\/sup> The Italian also stated that \u2018a prince should endeavour to invest all his actions with a character of grandeur and excellence\u2019.12<\/sup> Cromwell\u2019s triumphal return to England in 1650 exudes this: he was already intent on looking grand and excellent in the public eye. Machiavelli also notes that having a good knowledge of \u2018the art of war and the organisation and discipline of his [a leader\u2019s] army\u201913<\/sup> is essential. At this stage, though his political rise to power was not completely accomplished, Cromwell\u2019s military ability had gone from strength to strength.<\/p>\n

The land settlement imposed on Ireland from 1653 saw Cromwell at the forefront of decisions that would cause centuries of Irish bitterness. Though maybe not in complete control of Irish policy, he took an active part, and they were principally his decisions. Machiavelli states that one should \u2018abstain from taking people\u2019s property, for men will sooner forget the death of their fathers than the loss of their patrimony\u2019.14<\/sup> This shows that Cromwell in Ireland was not always in agreement with Machiavelli. Machiavelli would have been pleased with the way that Cromwell had crushed the Irish force, but not with the way in which he created issues for the country by meddling with their religion and taking their land.<\/p>\n

Despite the obvious differences over religion and the land settlement, many pieces of Machiavelli\u2019s advice about invasion, strategic defence, etc. were followed by Cromwell in Ireland. It is one episode amongst many in Cromwell\u2019s political and military career where we see his actions exhibit the essence of Machiavellian ideas.<\/p>\n

II<\/p>\n

In July 1653, when the Barebone\u2019s Parliament convened, an impassioned Cromwell made the opening speech \u2018with tears (at times) rolling down his cheeks and with the enthusiastic style of a revivalist evangelical preacher\u2019.15<\/sup> At this point our Machiavellian comparison does not look so convincing, but we are concentrating on Cromwell\u2019s actions and not his beliefs. The parliament certainly had some success, but for various reasons Cromwell became disillusioned with it. At this stage he had an idea of the \u2018Godly Reformation\u2019, in which religious liberty was of major importance.<\/p>\n

Parliament threatened it, as well as showing \u2018anti-army sentiments\u2019.16<\/sup> On 12 December the moderates in the parliament presented their resignation and thus power to the lord general. Within days a new constitution had been written, giving Cromwell the title of lord protector.<\/p>\n

Machiavelli himself naturally favoured a republic. Despite the fact that his most famous work looked at autocratic monarchs, he was inclined to the idea that citizens themselves could work out what\u2019s best for a country. However, Machiavelli admitted that a leader with complete power can be the best way to achieve things and can often be justifiable. By the end of the Barebone\u2019s Parliament, and indeed before it, Cromwell began to realise that the only way to achieve changes could be to take power himself. In light of the failures of the Rump parliament, in 1652 Cromwell had asked a political ally \u2018what if a man should take upon him to be king?\u201917<\/sup> The parallel political thinking is clear.<\/p>\n

A major factor in the dissolution of both the Rump and Barebones Parliaments was the politicians\u2019 hostility towards the army. Being Lord General and a man who had based his success, reputation and political position on the military, Cromwell felt threatened. In many ways he had to choose between his political and military sides. In a chapter mainly regarding Roman Emperors, Machiavelli noted that they had the \u2018difficulty of satisfying both the soldiers and the people\u2019.18<\/sup> Despite deducing that a balance was needed, Machiavelli prioritised by saying that \u2018they should by all means endeavour to avoid being hated by the more powerful\u2019, in other words, the army.19<\/sup> Thus, as Cromwell was already bound to the army, he had to make the decision to lose some popularity with the people in order to maintain his power.<\/p>\n

III<\/p>\n

According to Barry Coward, the protectorate was \u2018a regime which owed its establishment and continuation, not to constitutional legitimacy, but it owed it to the power of the army\u2019.20<\/sup> This point cannot be emphasised enough: of major importance for Machiavelli was \u2018having to bear with the cruelty and cupidity of the soldiers\u2019.21<\/sup> Throughout his military and political career we see Cromwell trying to defend the army from governmental hostility towards them. This was especially difficult during Cromwell\u2019s search for a settlement with the king, notably the Putney Debates in 1647. Coward seems to suggest that Cromwell may have done things subsequently to this that look distinctly Machiavellian including his \u2018leading role in quashing an army mutiny [the Levellers] at one of the three rendezvous at Ware, in Hertfordshire\u2019.22<\/sup> In the same incident, Cromwell allegedly stated that the mutineers\u2019 execution \u201cwas \u2018absolutely necessary to keep things from falling into confusion; which must have ensued upon that division if it had not been timely prevented\u2019.23<\/sup> This sounds remarkably like Machiavelli\u2019s statement that \u2018a few displays of severity will really be more merciful than to allow, by an excess of clemency, disorders to occur\u2019.24<\/sup> This may seem natural for any leader, and perhaps not directly linked to Machiavelli at all. The interesting thing, though, is how a man so close to God and so keen on a peaceful settlement would crush his old compatriots so savagely, even with their radical agitator views \u2013 as Machiavelli put it, \u2018the injury therefore that you do to a man should be such that you need not fear his revenge\u2019.25<\/sup><\/p>\n

During the protectorate, Cromwell and his council held overall power over the parliaments, though they were a part of his yearning for constitutional respectability. He also made sure that the army would be untouchable. Machiavelli would certainly agree that upsetting the army would mean the end of Cromwell\u2019s power. He stated that a Roman Emperor, a title Cromwell is frequently likened to, could often be a man of the people brought to the helm by people or the army. Therefore, unlike a king, Cromwell felt bound to the soldiers who had elevated him to that position. One would expect that his relationship with his old allies, the political Independents, would also be one to work hard to keep \u2013 however hard he tried. However, Cromwell had to choose his military side in order to stay in power and many of his old political friends naturally felt betrayed as a result. With military backing, Cromwell could afford to be disliked by politicians \u2013 apparently agreeing with Machiavelli that \u2018it is much more safe to be feared than to be loved\u2019.26<\/sup> It was no longer the parliamentarians who counted, but the professional and pragmatic New Model Army. In this sense, Cromwell had gained power which couldn\u2019t easily be challenged by other politicians; perhaps he had chosen to make these \u2018natural leaders\u2019 (politicians) weaker. As Machiavelli stated, \u2018a prince who causes another to become powerful thereby works his own ruin\u2019.27<\/sup><\/p>\n

There is, however, strong opposing evidence to the comparison with Machiavelli on this subject. Power in England wasn\u2019t as simple as protector and council: articles in the constitution stated that it was \u2018illegal for parliaments be dissolved without their own consent until each session had lasted at least five months\u2019 and \u2018if the protector failed to call the parliament\u2019 then the commissioner of the great seal would automatically call elections.28<\/sup> Despite ceding power to the council, the parliament did hold some power. Coward states that the limitations were \u2018remarkably un-dictatorial\u2019,29<\/sup> and this seems very un-Machiavellian \u2013 incomplete power is certainly not related to ideas in The Prince. Another weakness of the comparison is the way in which Cromwell worked hard to try and bring people onto his side. For example, in later 1654 and early 1655 he had long discussions and persuasion in order to bring critics over to the regime, even with radicals like the Quaker, George Fox.30<\/sup> However, one has to be careful not to pigeonhole Machiavelli\u2019s ideas as including only things ruthless and dictatorial. In fact, one of his most important points is that \u2018a prince will always have need of the good will of the inhabitants, if he wishes to enter into firm possession of the country\u201931<\/sup>. He clearly emphasised that one should avoid being hated, and one cannot do this by forcing a regime on citizens without any attempt to gain their consent.<\/p>\n

Cromwell\u2019s authoritarian approach to governing took shape explicitly in the \u2018major-generals\u2019 scheme. This can be seen in the proclamation sent to William Boteler on October 11th 1655, which made him:<\/p>\n

Major-General, and commander in chief within the said countries of Northampton, Huntingdon, Rutland, and Bedford … doe by this give you full power, and authoritie unto you to take unto your charge, and to traine … and to deepen good discipline the land militia forces, and such others as shalbe raised, or assigned to you within the said counties … lead them against all, and singular enemies, Rebels, traitors, and other offenders, and their adherents against us, and this commonwealth … put to execution by death by all waies and means, according to your good discretion.32<\/sup>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Although this letter doesn\u2019t explain all the reasons for installing major- generals, the extract puts great emphasis on security. There is a clear intention to crush any enemies in a Machiavellian way, and also a sense of putting a lot of trust into the hands of the individual major-generals. Though it was not purely Cromwell\u2019s decision (the council had a part to play), it could be suggested that he picked Boteler due to the fact that he was in the cavalry in the Midlands and would probably have fought under Cromwell. As a major-general, he \u2018was zealous and uncompromising in his hostility to his religious and political enemies, emerging as a severe persecutor of Catholics and Quakers in his region\u2019, and had also been important in the crushing of the Levellers before the Protectorate Parliament.33<\/sup> These are all enemies that Cromwell despised, and who needed to be defeated completely.<\/p>\n

The rule of the major-generals shows Cromwell moving towards an increasingly military influence over Britain. Machiavelli stated that \u2018when a prince is at the head of his army, with a multitude of soldiers under his command, then it is above all things necessary for him to disregard the reputation of cruelty\u2019.34<\/sup> Pragmatic and oppressive military control was a step which was unpopular, and it seems distinctly Machiavellian in its nature. It shows a level of army organisation and state power which is well ahead of Machiavelli\u2019s time; though something he would be in awe of. Military districts in which men would be trained and organised, though unsuccessful, arguably demonstrates forethought of a kind of structure and organisation of modern corps systems. For Cromwell, perhaps the military influence went too far \u2013 especially given that by 1656 any MP unpopular with the army was turned away from the second Protectorate Parliament by the military-dominated council.<\/p>\n

Machiavelli also stated that \u2018having recovered such revolted provinces, it is easier to keep them in subjection; for the prince will avail himself of the occasion of the rebellion to secure himself, with less consideration for the people, by punishing the guilty, watching the suspected, and strengthening himself at all the weak points of the province\u2019.35<\/sup> This is directly comparable to the major-generals scheme. The danger from the \u2018revolted provinces\u2019 had been seen as the royalist strongholds during the second Civil War of 1648 and the Penruddock rebellion of 1655, and the best way of keeping them in subjection would be to create military districts. Barry Coward identified it as \u2018what we\u2019d now call anti-terrorist measures\u2019. He also stated, though, that whilst being unpopular, the major-generals often worked very well with the local governments and that the importance of their rule is overstated.36<\/sup> On the other hand, the military influence in Cromwell\u2019s government in general cannot be understated.<\/p>\n

IV<\/p>\n

Machiavelli stated that when inheriting a new kingdom, things should not be changed, because a prince \u2018has for enemies all those who derived advantages from the old order of things\u2019.37<\/sup> This advice was not followed by Cromwell\u2019s regime, especially when it came to the suppression of opposition. However, given that it was a revolutionary government following a Civil War, the political situation meant that Cromwell was unlikely to be able to uphold the law in every respect. In fact, Cromwell would often ignore justice in favour of necessity. This is much more Machiavellian. An integral idea for Machiavelli was that conventional moral standards would have to be ignored if necessary. In the same way as the modern \u2018war on terror\u2019, Cromwell would ignore justice in order to suppress \u2018terrorism\u2019. Cromwell famously explained that \u2018if anything should be done but what is according to the law, the throat of the nation may be cut \u2018til we send for some to make a law\u2019.38<\/sup> It is interesting that a man as principled as Cromwell was rejecting these principles of \u2018honesty and clemency\u2019 in order to \u2018establish undisputed control\u201939<\/sup> \u2013 a very Machiavellian idea. Though not as rigorous as that of Soviet Russia or Nazi Germany, John Thurloe\u2019s intelligence network would also undermine another moral standard \u2013 freedom of speech. Cromwell was sacrificing yet another moral principle in order to protect his power.<\/p>\n

Having said that, Cromwell\u2019s \u2018Godly Reformation\u2019 looks distinctly non- Machiavellian. It is hard to discern exactly what Cromwell meant by the Godly Reformation, but we can take the rough definition of social change involving more liberty of conscience and a crackdown on immoral behaviour. Machiavelli says little about social issues in The Prince, but he does state that \u2018a prince should also show himself a lover of virtue, and should honour all who excel in any one of the arts, and should encourage his citizens quietly to pursue their vocations\u2019.40<\/sup> This represents a major difference between Cromwell\u2019s and Machiavelli\u2019s philosophies. Cromwell wanted to change England because of his deep moral beliefs, whilst Machiavelli argued that a prince should just \u2018show himself\u2019 to be virtuous, in order to keep the people happy.<\/p>\n

Other important aspects of the Godly Reformation were liberty of conscience and encouragement of education. For the latter, Machiavelli has nothing to say in The Prince<\/em>. The former consisted mainly of Cromwell\u2019s mission for religious liberty: he allowed all non-radical Protestant Churches to worship freely and even let Jews enter Britain, showing that he was well ahead of his time. Relative freedom of belief is not something one would expect Machiavelli to give much thought, given his opinion that \u2018it is the vulgar mass that constitutes the world\u2019.41<\/sup> Realpolitik, often linked to Machiavelli, gives no room to religious freedom. Here, again, there is a clear dissimilarity between the two.<\/p>\n

V<\/p>\n

In relation to Cromwell\u2019s policy at sea, Christopher Hill stated that \u2018English use of sea power in the 1650s was even more powerful and systematic\u2019 than in other areas.42<\/sup> These words seem to suggest a very Machiavellian naval strategy and organisation. Cromwell finally made peace with the Netherlands in 1654, with the intention of improving England\u2019s strategic position. Was this Machiavellian diplomacy achieving results? The Western Design of 1655, on the other hand, was a monumental failure. However, part of the reason for this was that Cromwell selected discontented commanders. It can be argued that he sent them away deliberately so that they wouldn\u2019t damage his undisputed power back home \u2013 another action \u2018necessary to the design\u2019. Also important is the fact that there was a \u2018victory of commercial over religious considerations in foreign policy\u2019.43<\/sup> A major weakness in our comparison is the fact that Cromwell\u2019s decisions were based on religious views, but even Hill admits here that necessity and economic advances were more important in his foreign policy. Machiavelli was a political philosopher well ahead of his time, and perhaps Cromwell was too in aiding the modern process of imperialism in England.<\/p>\n

Machiavelli\u2019s \u2018fox and lion\u2019 idea is extremely relevant to Cromwell\u2019s foreign policy. Given the power of the English navy and often its aggression, especially regarding the Anglo-Spanish War from 1655, it is fair to say that the English lion under Cromwell was more feared than any other power. In the same way, Cromwell was probably more feared than loved by foreigners, but that is the best way round. As regards being cunning and sly as a fox, Cromwell\u2019s protectorate kept up high levels of intelligence concerning foreign policy. There are records of countless letters on foreign intelligence especially from Thurloe, the protectorate\u2019s spymaster. For example, in a letter in May 1657 he wrote to Cromwell informing him that \u2018our letters from the Hague assure us that the difference between France & Holland is unfounded, for that now we are in expectation here, what Holland will do with their great fleet\u2019.44<\/sup> Despite a lack of complete consistency in evidence, this small extract alone seems more like a piece of twentieth century intelligence than a letter over 350 years old.<\/p>\n

Our comparison\u2019s downfall, yet again, is the religious references included in these letters. Religion suggests a different motive for action than simply out of necessity, which is what Machiavelli stood for. In the aforementioned letter, Thurloe spoke of the \u2018work evill goe on\u2019,45<\/sup> and in another that something \u2018hath pleased God\u2019.46<\/sup> This letter shows the impact clearly:<\/p>\n

mention one particular, find written from France, which is, that not only protestants of Piedmont (47<\/sup>), but then those in France are in worse condition than ever, that those in France have almost lost all their privileges, their monopolies are banished and otherwise deprived, their Churches puld downe and comon justice denied them.48<\/sup><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This intelligence seems aimed against Roman Catholicism and what it continued to do in Europe, demonstrating the large impact of Cromwell\u2019s religious stance on foreign policy. Cromwell would have felt a duty to protect those who shared his beliefs. There is evidence of Franco-English cooperation, though. Ordered by the king of France, a French envoy spoke at Westminster in 1653: \u2018de l\u2019assurer de son amytie, sur la confiance q\u2019uil a d\u2019y trouver une mutuelle correspandance a les bonnes intentions… correspondance entre les doux\u2019.49<\/sup> Despite his religious prejudices, Cromwell did not just irrationally condemn all Catholic countries.<\/p>\n

VI<\/p>\n

It is clear that there are many similarities between Cromwell and Machiavelli in the exercise of power. A crucial part of Cromwell\u2019s career, though, is the impact of his beliefs on his actions. In the end, one cannot simply separate the man\u2019s philosophy from what he does. As we know, a major part of one\u2019s actions are the intentions involved, and Cromwell\u2019s strong relationship with God and belief in predestination cannot be ignored when comparing him to Machiavelli. Nearing the end of The Prince, Machiavelli states that \u2018as our free will is not entirely destroyed, I judge that it may be assumed as true that fortune to the extent of one half is the arbiter of our actions, but that she permits us to direct the other half, or perhaps a little less, ourselves\u2019.50<\/sup> He also says that fortune \u2018allows herself to be more easily vanquished by the rash and violent\u2019.51<\/sup> Thus, he does seem to believe in a fate of sorts but from a humanist position, and one that can be altered. The Calvinist Cromwell, on the other hand, saw every victory in the Civil Wars and in the protectorate as God\u2019s will on earth.<\/p>\n

Cromwell\u2019s rejection of the crown was also due to his relationship with God. This major topic has not yet been mentioned because of the one underlying reason for the decision \u2013 God\u2019s providence. He thought that, after the execution of Charles I, \u2018truly the providence of God has laid the title of monarch aside providentially … he hath blasted the title … I would not seek to set up that that providence has destroyed and laid in the dust. I would not build Jericho again\u201d.52<\/sup> If it was the powerful army that had been the imposing influence on the decision to reject the crown, then our Machiavelli comparison would be the better for it. In the end, though, Cromwell feared God\u2019s omnipotence and wouldn\u2019t be able to \u2018vanquish\u2019 providence.<\/p>\n

Another problem is raised because it is hard to argue that Cromwell was a man purely obsessed with power. Hill believed that Cromwell was a \u2018disillusioned man who struggled on under the burden of the protectorate, knowing that without him worse would befall\u2019.53<\/sup> It is clear that he became disheartened by the regime: on his deathbed Cromwell became depressed thinking of the insufficient number of real changes he\u2019d made to Britain. This doesn\u2019t sound like the attitude of an ideal Machiavellian prince holding on to leadership. Cromwell\u2019s legacy is often said to be religious non- conformism and, despite his own failures, the guarantee that parliaments would hold more power in the future. These feelings of democracy and liberty feel very different from Machiavelli\u2019s prince, but not to the man who had republican feelings. Machiavelli\u2019s legacy is a very different one. The philosopher is frequently accredited to the rise of realpolitik and authoritarianism, not those of republicanism and equality. Perhaps this label is unfair, but one thing is for sure \u2013 Machiavelli\u2019s legacy hasn\u2019t included God.<\/p>\n

In the end, the exercise of power by Cromwell encompasses many Machiavellian ideas and certainly demonstrates parallel thinking. However, it is in the intentions for these actions that the men\u2019s philosophies are so different. Cromwell wanted to obey God\u2019s providence and to bring about a \u2018Godly Reformation\u2019. In The Prince there is no such motive or meaning but only the reality of holding on to power. To conclude, Machiavelli was man\u2019s realist, while Cromwell was God\u2019s Englishman.<\/p>\n

1<\/sup> Christopher Hill, God\u2019s Englishman: Oliver Cromwell and the English Revolution<\/em>
\n(1990), p. 257.
\n2<\/sup> Machiavelli, The Prince<\/em>, translated by C.E. Detmold (1997), p. 9.
\n3<\/sup> Hill, p 109.
\n4<\/sup> Mich\u00e1el O Si\u00f3chru, God\u2019s Executioner<\/em> (2008) p. 206.
\n5<\/sup> O Si\u00f3chru, God\u2019s Executioner<\/em> p. 79.
\n6<\/sup> The Prince<\/em>, p. 9.
\n7<\/sup> O\u2019Si\u00f3chru, p. 82.
\n8<\/sup> O\u2019Si\u00f3chru, p. 85.
\n9<\/sup> O\u2019Si\u00f3chru, p. 97.
\n10<\/sup> The Prince<\/em>, p. 67.
\n11<\/sup> The Prince<\/em>, p. 73.
\n12<\/sup> The Prince<\/em>, p. 85.
\n13<\/sup> The Prince<\/em>, p. 56.
\n14<\/sup> The Prince<\/em>, p. 65.
\n15<\/sup> Barry Coward, Oliver Cromwell<\/em> (2000), p. 93.
\n16<\/sup> Coward, p. 99.
\n17<\/sup> Hill, p. 129.
\n18<\/sup> The Prince<\/em>, p. 73.
\n19<\/sup> The Prince<\/em>, p. 74.
\n20<\/sup> http:\/\/origin.nationalarchives.gov.uk\/podcasts\/cromwellian.htm Prof Barry Coward Was the Cromwellian Protectorate a military dictatorship?<\/em> (National Archives Lecture)
\n21<\/sup> The Prince<\/em>, p. 73.
\n22<\/sup> Coward, p. 57.
\n23<\/sup> Coward, p. 57.
\n24<\/sup> The Prince<\/em>, p. 64.
\n25<\/sup> The Prince<\/em>, p. 9.
\n26<\/sup> The Prince<\/em>, p. 65.
\n27<\/sup> The Prince<\/em>, p. 14.
\n28<\/sup> http:\/\/origin.nationalarchives.gov.uk\/podcasts\/cromwellian.htm
\n29<\/sup> http:\/\/origin.nationalarchives.gov.uk\/podcasts\/cromwellian.htm
\n30<\/sup> http:\/\/origin.nationalarchives.gov.uk\/podcasts\/cromwellian.htm
\n31<\/sup> The Prince<\/em>, p. 7.
\n32<\/sup> Letter from Oliver Cromwell to William Boteler Oct 11 1655.<\/em>
\n33<\/sup> http:\/\/www.british-civil-wars.co.uk\/biog\/boteler.htm 12\/09\/10
\n34<\/sup> The Prince<\/em>, p. 65
\n35<\/sup> The Prince<\/em>, p. 8.
\n36<\/sup> http:\/\/origin.nationalarchives.gov.uk\/podcasts\/cromwellian.htm
\n37<\/sup> The Prince<\/em>, p. 21.
\n38<\/sup> http:\/\/origin.nationalarchives.gov.uk\/podcasts\/cromwellian.htm
\n39<\/sup> The Prince<\/em>, p. XIII.
\n40<\/sup> The Prince<\/em>, p. 87.
\n41<\/sup> The Prince<\/em>, p. 69.
\n42<\/sup> Hill, p. 151.
\n43<\/sup> Hill, p. 158.
\n44<\/sup> Letter from John Thurloe to \u2018My Lord\u2019, May 21\/31 1657<\/em>.
\n45<\/sup> Letter from John Thurloe to \u2018My Lord\u2019, May 21\/31 1657<\/em>.
\n46<\/sup> Letter from John Thurloe to \u2018My Lord\u2019, May 28 1657.<\/em>
\n47<\/sup> Where over 200 protestants were murdered in May 1655, an event having a major effect on Cromwell<\/em>.
\n48<\/sup> Letter from John Thurloe to \u2018My Lord\u2019, Aug 17\/27.<\/em>
\n49<\/sup> French envoy speech at Westminster April 19 1653<\/em>.
\n50<\/sup> The Prince<\/em>, p. 94.
\n51<\/sup> The Prince<\/em>, p. 97.
\n52<\/sup> http:\/\/origin.nationalarchives.gov.uk\/podcasts\/cromwellian.htm
\n53<\/sup> Hill, p. 266<\/p>\n

Jack Graham is an A-Level student at Hampton School, and has been offered a place to study history at St Catherine\u2019s College, Oxford.<\/p>\n

PDF version<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

by Jack Graham Synopsis by Serrie Meakins Machiavelli thought rulers should choose logic over morality and practicality over benevolence. Mr Graham examines several of Cromwell\u2019s actions to see how far they can be considered Machiavellian. He shows how events in Ireland, choices made during the Protectorate and in terms of foreign policy, Cromwell\u2019s actions can […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":18,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-197","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.olivercromwell.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/197","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.olivercromwell.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.olivercromwell.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.olivercromwell.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.olivercromwell.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=197"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.olivercromwell.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/197\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":739,"href":"https:\/\/www.olivercromwell.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/197\/revisions\/739"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.olivercromwell.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/18"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.olivercromwell.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=197"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.olivercromwell.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=197"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.olivercromwell.org\/wordpress\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=197"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}