David L. Smith is Fellow and Director of Studies in History at Selwyn College, Cambridge. He has won the Royal Historical Society’s Alexander Prize and Cambridge University’s Thirlwall Prize for Historical Research. He is the author of eight previous books on various aspects of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century history including Oliver Cromwell (1991), A History of the Modern British Isles, 1603–1707 (Blackwell, 1998), and The Stuart Parliaments, 1603–-1689 (1999).

"Here are eight of the best essays of the past twenty years on Oliver Cromwell in power. The collection is enhanced by David Smith's lucid and comprehensive introduction summarizing the current historiography on politics and religion during the Interregnum."--Ian Gentles, Glendon College, Toronto"This collection of important articles on the 1650s will be a boon to everyone interested in discovering more about the history of the Commonwealth and Protectorate, as will the editor's introduction, which is a splendid guide to many important themes of the history of that period."--Barry Coward, Birkbeck College, London

• Acknowledgements. Editor's Introduction.1. Oliver Cromwell, the Regicide and the Sons of Zeruiah (John Morrill, University of Cambridge and Philip Baker, Associate Editor, The New Dictionary of National Biography).2. Oliver Cromwell and the Sin of Achan (Blair Worden, University of Sussex).3. The Cromwellian Protectorate: A Military Dictatorship? (Austin Woolrych, University of Lancaster).4. 'The Single Person's Confidants and Dependents'? Oliver Cromwell and his Protectoral Councilors (Peter Gaunt, University College, Chester).5. Oliver Cromwell and the Localities: The Problem of Consent (Anthony Fletcher).6. Cromwell’s Religion (Colin Davis, University of East Anglia).7. Oliver Cromwell, the First Protectorate Parliament and Religious Reform (David L. Smith, University of Cambridge).8. Cromwell, Scotland and Ireland (David Stevenson, University of St. Andrews).Timeline.Index.

David L. Smith is Fellow and Director of Studies in History at Selwyn College, Cambridge. He has won the Royal Historical Society’s Alexander Prize and Cambridge University’s Thirlwall Prize for Historical Research. He is the author of eight previous books on various aspects of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century history including Oliver Cromwell (1991), A History of the Modern British Isles, 1603–1707 (Blackwell, 1998), and The Stuart Parliaments, 1603–-1689 (1999).

"Here are eight of the best essays of the past twenty years on Oliver Cromwell in power. The collection is enhanced by David Smith's lucid and comprehensive introduction summarizing the current historiography on politics and religion during the Interregnum."--Ian Gentles, Glendon College, Toronto"This collection of important articles on the 1650s will be a boon to everyone interested in discovering more about the history of the Commonwealth and Protectorate, as will the editor's introduction, which is a splendid guide to many important themes of the history of that period."--Barry Coward, Birkbeck College, London

• Acknowledgements. Editor's Introduction.1. Oliver Cromwell, the Regicide and the Sons of Zeruiah (John Morrill, University of Cambridge and Philip Baker, Associate Editor, The New Dictionary of National Biography).2. Oliver Cromwell and the Sin of Achan (Blair Worden, University of Sussex).3. The Cromwellian Protectorate: A Military Dictatorship? (Austin Woolrych, University of Lancaster).4. 'The Single Person's Confidants and Dependents'? Oliver Cromwell and his Protectoral Councilors (Peter Gaunt, University College, Chester).5. Oliver Cromwell and the Localities: The Problem of Consent (Anthony Fletcher).6. Cromwell’s Religion (Colin Davis, University of East Anglia).7. Oliver Cromwell, the First Protectorate Parliament and Religious Reform (David L. Smith, University of Cambridge).8. Cromwell, Scotland and Ireland (David Stevenson, University of St. Andrews).Timeline.Index.