Christian Cyclopedia

(1599–1658). Eng. soldier and statesman. B. Huntingdon; descended from Richard Williams, who took the maiden name of his mother, T. Cromwell's* elder sister; mem. of parliament for Huntingdon 1628, for Cambridge 1640; championed cause of Puritans and Independents; prominent in parliament struggle with Charles I; an effective leader of the New Model army; signed Charles I's death warrant; suppressed Irish and Scot. revolts; appointed Lord Protector 1653; buried in Westminster Abbey; disinterred and hung after Charles II became king. See also England, B 7.