Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658)
This marble bust of Oliver Cromwell is a 19th century piece based on an original work by Louis-François Roubiliac, a French sculptor who came to London in 1730 and earned his living from commissions for portrait busts and church monuments. His most important works in Westminster Abbey are the monuments to the Duke of Argyll (1748) – the work which first established his fame as a sculptor – Handel (1761), Sir Peter Warren, Field Marshal Wade, General Fleming, General William Hargrave and Lady Elizabeth Nightingale (1761). He became the most popular sculptor of his day.
Oliver Cromwell was best known for being Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland after the defeat of King Charles I in the Civil War. He was one of the main signatories on Charles I’s death warrant. Cromwell was a Puritan. Puritans were Protestants who wanted to purify the Church of England of Roman Catholic practices. They believed that the Church of England was too similar to the Roman Catholic Church, and that the reformation was not complete until it became more protestant. During his time as Lord Protector Cromwell banned, or imposed rules on many things in England. For example, theatre and bear baiting were banned as they were seen as sinful; swearing was punishable by a fine or a stay in prison.
