# Oliver Cromwell — When Charles the First Was King character guide

> Oliver Cromwell in When Charles the First Was King by J. S. Fletcher.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** This Cromwell, Cromwell, General Cromwell, General Oliver Cromwell, Master Cromwell

**First appearance:** 0026-xxvii-of-my-meeting-with-general-cromwell

## Snapshot

The Parliamentarian general whose stern piety and implacable purpose stand behind the King's fall and the new order.

## Who they are

Cromwell appears as the victorious general who walks Will Dale through the silent halls to view the dead King's body, speaking of tyranny ended and children weeping on both sides. His impassive countenance, his fierce dismissal of Will back to the country, and his promise that the farmer's business shall be done reveal a man of iron conviction rather than mere ambition. He embodies the revolution that sweeps the novel's later chapters, and his brief, unforgettable interview with Will fixes the human cost of the age.

## Relationships

### [Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/characters/narrator)

_professional_

Oliver Cromwell is a powerful military and political leader whom the narrator serves and observes with mixed feelings.

### [Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/characters/narrator)

_professional_

Oliver Cromwell is a powerful military and political leader whom the narrator serves and observes with mixed feelings.

### [Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/characters/narrator)

_professional_

Oliver Cromwell is a powerful military and political leader whom the narrator serves and observes with mixed feelings.

## In the story

### [Of Jack’s Letters from the Seat of War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xviii-of-jack-s-letters-from-the-seat-of-war)

Mentioned in Jack's letter as raising a disciplined band of men in the fen country.

### [Of the Remarkable Conduct of Dennis Watson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xix-of-the-remarkable-conduct-of-dennis-watson)

Mentioned as a sagacious leader training his Ironsides during the winter; described as a yeoman of Huntingdon with surprising powers and generalship.

### [Of Jack Drumbleforth's Return Home](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xxii-of-jack-drumbleforth-s-return-home)

Discussed as a great general who leads psalm-singing soldiers and interprets Scripture to justify opposition to the King.

### [Of the Coming Near of War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xxiii-of-the-coming-near-of-war)

Emerges as a leader of the Independents; organizes the Eastern Association and prepares to attack Yorkshire.

### [Of the Great Fight at Marston Moor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xxv-of-the-great-fight-at-marston-moor)

Commands the Ironsides on the Parliamentary left wing, noted as a formidable opponent.

### [Of the Progress of the Fight](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xxvi-of-the-progress-of-the-fight)

Seen by Will as a remarkable-looking man directing his troops coolly; leads the Ironsides to victory.

### [Of My Meeting with General Cromwell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xxvii-of-my-meeting-with-general-cromwell)

General of the Parliamentarian forces; speaks passionately about the cause, offers Will a chance to go home.

### [Of My Adventure at the Wayside Inn](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xxviii-of-my-adventure-at-the-wayside-inn)

General who released Will and gave him a passport; mentioned in conversation.

### [Of My Journey to London](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xli-of-my-journey-to-london)

Will visits him at Knottingley during the siege of Pontefract; listens to Will's complaint and advises him to go to London.

### [Of the Scene Before Whitehall](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xlii-of-the-scene-before-whitehall)

General; gave Will instructions for his claim; present as one of the sixty-seven members of the court at the King's trial.

### [Of Two Strange Meetings in One Day](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xliii-of-two-strange-meetings-in-one-day)

Approaches Will near Whitehall, shows him the King's body, and promises to help recover his money.

### [Of the Fate of Dennis Watson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/when_charles_the_first_was_king_se/chapters/xliv-of-the-fate-of-dennis-watson)

Recalled in Will's meditation on duty and the desire for a quiet life.

## Links

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