Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658), Lord Protector of England, 1650 (c)

Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658), Lord Protector of England, 1650 (c).

Oil on canvas, artist unknown, after Robert Walker (1599 (c)-1658 (c)), 1650 (c).

Cromwell rose to prominence in the committees of the House of Commons and fought in the early campaigns of the Civil Wars of Britain (1639-1651) under the Parliamentarian Earl of Essex. In 1644, he commanded the cavalry of the Eastern Association at the Battle of Marston Moor; in 1645 he was in command of the cavalry of the newly-formed New Model Army at the Battle of Naseby.