Cromwell's supporters praised him for his military victories, his strong leadership, and his commitment to religious freedom. They saw him as a hero who had saved England from the tyranny of King Charles I and had established a more just and equitable society. However, Cromwell's critics accused him of being a dictator, a hypocrite, and a regicide. They argued that he had betrayed the ideals of the revolution by becoming a military strongman and that he had suppressed dissent and violated the rights of Parliament.
In the months following Cromwell's death, there was a period of political instability in England. The country was divided between those who wanted to restore the monarchy and those who wanted to continue the republican experiment. Eventually, the monarchy was restored in 1660, and Cromwell's body was exhumed and subjected to public humiliation. His remains were eventually reburied in an unmarked grave.
Despite the controversy surrounding his rule, Cromwell remains a complex and fascinating figure in English history. He was a brilliant military leader and a skilled politician, but he was also a man of great ambition and a flawed character. His legacy continues to be debated by historians and scholars today.