Oliver Cromwell and the Commonwealth

Oliver Cromwell was a parliamentary general who became Lord Protector of the Commonwealth after defeating King Charles II (son of Charles I) at the Battle of Worcester. He ruled England as a republic from 1649 until his death in 1658. Cromwell led a brutal campaign in Ireland that still makes him controversial there. His son Richard briefly succeeded him but could not control the government, leading to the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660.