Why Did Cromwell Reject The Crown?

• Fear of army mutiny and revolt – perceived rather than actual
• Shared ties of the ‘The Old Cause’
• Belief in Providence – execution of Charles had been a cruel necessity to take his Crown would be total apostasy. It would prevent the ‘godly reformation
• Distressed by allegations of political aggrandisement
• Edward Hyde believed his rejection was very significant
• He believed English people preferred the institution of monarchy and had Cromwell accepted the throne it would have been impossible to reinstate the Stuart monarchy