"Cromwell as a military commander?" Topic

I have recently read a good 9-10 books on the ECW and Cromwell. They seem to vary from hagiography to begrudging respect to hate from Royalist sympathisers and Irish authors. The line seems to be that his remarkable abilities as a military leader cam later in life to him having never served before the start of the ruckus.
Its hard to sort the wheat from the chaff but I have left behind my initial prejudices against his puritanism and have begun to appreciate him more. That devoutness is expressed in a way that was normal for the times even if a little egocentric.
What are your thoughts on Cromwell?

FM

Solely on military capability and effect, very good.

martini

Military – great ability to use religion, politics etc to bring loyal people together – I always give him a plus in helping units under him pass morale checks – also see him as a really good cavalry officer. Late war I increase his overall effectiveness as he learned from some decent generals and gained experience.

Overall believe he was a zealot with some pluses and a weakness or two because of it

As a man of his times I admire Cromwell, he was not as puritanical as many folk portray him, and he seems genuinely to have wanted the best for his men and the country. I know many will disagree but that's ok!

I would take a look at "Parliament's Generals: Supreme Command and Politics during the British Wars, 1642–51" by Wanklyn for this.

Normally I steer well clear of such discussions, as some participants (and I don't necessarily mean here on TMP) carry grudges about historical figures from nearly 400 years ago, as though it was yesterday.

Whilst not denying that atrocities committed by soldiers under his command where truly terrible events (the same can be said of soldiers under Rupert's command but he doesn't seem to be as vilified), and the Irish in particular have a justifiable beef with the man; he does seem to have become a pantomime villain – he banned Christmas (only he didn't), he was a religious bigot (whilst the English and Scottish churches and states clearly have issue with the Catholic church, he allowed religious tolerance, allowing Jews back into England after a several hundred years gap), for example. Before anyone pipes up that I am Cromwell fan boy, in no way am I suggesting he was 'whiter than white'. Yes my family were for parliament, and I am not the biggest fan of having a Royal Family, I do try to be balanced and objective about events of the Wars of the 3 Kingdoms.

A complex individual, those complexities being compounded by viewing C17th events/views/beliefs through C21st eyes; his military acumen will always be clouded by his actions (real and perceived) off the battlefield.

Herkybird's comment about "wanting the best…" really comes through in his later correspondence.

2nd P&SSoc's book recommendation.

Hah, we were discussing this today

My comment was that he was a great general at a time when the bar was very low

I formed this opinion after reading the descriptions of ECW battles and their lack of tactical complexity

I've always found it hard hard to understand why Charles II was invited back. Seemed like a disaster to me as the lack of clear successors created endless problems

Can only conclude that Cromwell ed up so badly as a civilian leader that the concensus was to have another King

The canceling Christmas thing. Well that was the only thing about Cromwell that my (English) niece remembered about him when we visited Madame Tussuads

Non politically correct history from John