Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) emerged as one of the top ten Great Britons of all time in the BBC series broadcast in 2002. According to J.H. Plumb, a political historian, Cromwell ‘changed the course of British history; never again were royal absolutism and religious intolerance allowed to flourish unchallenged.’

In 1653 Cromwell became Lord Protector of the Commonwealth. Cromwell was the first integrationist, ruling the British Isles through a single Parliament and providing these islands with a written constitution.

Cromwell’s role in Irish history remains controversial. After the defeat and execution of Charles I, Cromwell came to Ireland, landing unopposed with an army of 12,000 at Ringsend on 15 August 1649. He embarked upon a short, sharp military campaign (August 1649 - May 1650), which is usually remembered because of his alleged massacres at Drogheda in September 1649 and at Wexford in October of that year.

Giving no quarter to garrisons refusing to surrender was perfectly in line with contemporary European practice at that time.