Cromwell As Protector

• Extremely difficult to make comprehensive judgements about Cromwell as he was such a contradictory character
• He was a religious radical who believed totally in the liberty of conscience and providence
• H e could spend hours/weeks in prayer and look indecisive but at other times he could take determined decisive action.
• He was a social conservative who believed in maintaining the social order and the traditional instruments of government hence his willingness to continual try other experiments whichincluded Parliament
• He had broad aims. He wanted a godly commonwealth which was organised according to the known laws. He wanted a time of healing and settling.
• He spent much of his time dealing with issues , he did not have time to create specific clear policies
• Much of this time was spent dealing with the excess of power and influences of others. He was always hampered by a lack of resources . The Protectorate was an expensive regime to run,