The Making of Oliver Cromwell

The first volume in a pioneering account of Oliver Cromwell—providing a major new interpretation of one of the greatest figures in history “Hutton’s book is intelligent, well documented, and stylish.”—Keith Thomas, New York Review of Books Oliver Cromwell (1599–1658)—the only English commoner to become the overall head of state—is one of the great figures of history, but his character was very complex. He was at once courageous and devout, devious and self-serving. As a parliamentarian, he was devoted to his cause; as a soldier, he was ruthless. Cromwell’s speeches and writings surpass in quantity those of any other ruler of England before Victoria and, for those seeking to understand him, he has usually been taken at his word. In this remarkable new work, Ronald Hutton untangles the facts from the fiction. Cromwell, pursuing his devotion to God and cementing his Puritan support base, quickly transformed from obscure provincial to military victor. At the end of the first English Civil War, he was poised to take power. Hutton reveals a man who was both genuine in his faith and deliberate in his dishonesty—and uncovers the inner workings of the man who has puzzled biographers for centuries.

About the Author :
Ronald Hutton is professor of history at Bristol University and a leading authority on the British Isles in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, on ancient and medieval paganism and magic, and on the global context of witchcraft beliefs. He is the author of eighteen books.

Review :
“Mr. Hutton writes in a mellifluous style, and his mastery of the material, displayed most clearly in the book’s endnotes, is impressive.”—Barton Swaim, Wall Street Journal “Hutton is a distinguished historian of 17th-century England, and writes with dispassionate authority about the religious and political context of Cromwell’s early life. The result is an absorbing story of a man born into relative wealth and security, apparently lacking ambition yet with an impulsive, brooding temperament.”—Jerry Brotton, Financial Times “[Hutton] brings to this biography an acute sensitivity to the religious debates; and he has a feel for geography and landscape which enlivens the narrative throughout. He writes, as ever, with fluency and flair. . . . In Hutton’s account, we see the real measure of the man. . . . For an up-to-date view this book now leads the field.”—Michael Braddick, Times Literary Supplement “Hutton’s book is intelligent, well documented, and stylish.”—Keith Thomas, New York Review of Books “[Hutton] is incapable of writing a dull sentence. . . . No one can read this book without coming away with their understanding of Cromwell deeply enriched.”—John Adamson, Sunday Times “[Hutton] uses his deep knowledge of the period, and not a little wit, to ask the right questions and when no definitive answer can be given, as is often the case, teases out plausible explanations. He makes a virtue of this tentative, uncertain but enthralling process, inviting the reader into a shared experience of discovery.”—Paul Lay, Times (UK) “The Making of Oliver Cromwell had me spellbound. . . . The way in which [Hutton] weighs the evidence for each theory about the young Cromwell exhibits the finest aspects of the historian’s profession. . . . The product of a lifetime’s study, the book has changed my view of the Lord Protector.”—Andrew Roberts, BBC History Magazine, “Books of the Year” “With painstaking research and imaginative sympathy, Hutton recreates his world from the ground up . . . easing out the tensions between [Cromwell’s] deep religious faith and political ambition. A landmark biography and model of historical scholarship.”—Dominic Sandbrook, Sunday Times, “Books of the Year: History” “I loved The Making of Oliver Cromwell. . . . The drama is always vivid, with the 1644 battle of Marston Moor is a particular highlight; the evocation of the seasons beautifully done.”—Tom Holland, BBC History Magazine, “Books of the Year” “A compelling portrait of Oliver Cromwell’s early life and initial rise to power. . . . Lucid and propulsive.”—Niall Allsopp, Seventeenth-Century News “Hutton has produced a superb, coruscating, immensely stimulating profile of the rising Cromwell. The key questions about this singularly fascinating man—his role in the regicide, his Irish policy, his designs on the crown—cry out for a sequel. Hutton dangles the prospect—‘if I continue to deal with Cromwell’s life.’ Yes please.”—Jessie Childs, Daily Telegraph “Splendid. . . . [Cromwell’s] is a unique story of personal achievement in British history: the rise from obscure country gentleman to head of state. No one—not even Oliver’s distant ancestor Thomas, who rose from Putney publican’s son to Henry VIII’s right-hand man—ever made it as far. Hutton’s book concentrates on the years before this final leap was made.”—David Horspool, The Oldie “The pivotal figure of the 17th century features in The Making of Oliver Cromwell, which meticulously takes the Lord Protector’s story to 1645, showing how his gifts as a soldier equipped him for leadership.”—Simon Heffer, Daily Telegraph, “2021’s Best Histories” “The Making of Oliver Cromwell is radical, powerful and persuasive, and it will cause a stir. It stands as a landmark challenge to the hagiographical tendencies of some of the historiography. Hutton’s assertion that Cromwell is ‘definitely not somebody to be taken simply at his word’ is utterly convincing. Whether his callous and calculating Cromwell will supplant more sympathetic versions remains to be seen, but his book will surely set the terms of debate for years to come.”—Anna Keay, Literary Review “Ronald Hutton offers a compelling profile of the civil war leader whose actions—including his conquest of Ireland—remain controversial.”—History Revealed “This is a rich and immensely enjoyable book, and Hutton’s expert, sceptical eye ensures that the manifold contradictions and paradoxes of its subject are always kept in view. . . . As a military history of the English Civil War in which Cromwell is centred, this book is unlikely to be surpassed.”—Marcus Nevitt, Spectator “Excellent. . . . [Hutton] convinces even royalists of the extraordinary gifts of Cromwell.”—Harry Mount, Country Life “In this revelatory biography . . . Hutton’s persuasive treatment makes Cromwell both more comprehensible and more interesting.”—Michael Prodger, New Statesman “Hutton is a wonderful military historian; his account of the decisive Battle of Naseby is masterly. . . . Another distinctive aspect of Hutton’s narrative is a lyrical emphasis on the natural world in which the human action takes place. . . . At the close we are left with a far fuller picture of Cromwell the man.”—Melanie McDonagh, Catholic Herald “Hutton does not gloss over the warts of this complicated man. . . . Behind his readable, pacey prose, which should keep the non-specialist engaged, . . . is a lifetime of scholarly endeavour in this most violent period of the history of the British Isles.”—Judith Maltby, Church Times “[Hutton’s] analysis of Cromwell’s military campaigns is outstanding. He writes of great strategy with crystal clarity, and his battle narratives are vivid, imaginative and gripping.”—Neil Faulkner, Military History Matters “This is definitely not just another book on the only English commoner to become the overall head of state, but brilliantly seeks a new perspective and fresh assessment of his character. . . . [Hutton] uses his findings to analyse the enigma of Cromwell in a non-partisan, even-handed way, but does not simply take Cromwell at his word from documents.”—Don Smith, Battlefield Magazine “Parallels between Cromwell’s era and our turbulent times have inspired a flurry of recent studies. Ronald Hutton’s latest fascinatingly details his ascent from Huntingdon country gentleman . . . to Member of Parliament critical of king and established Church.”—Brian Cooper, Church of England Newspaper “Hutton’s biographical approach offers a fascinating study of a complex and flawed human being who did not seem destined for glory. Hutton portrays Cromwell as a man who made mistakes, who was able to manipulate situations to his own advantage, and who coupled this with genuine military skill and a zeal for his work.”—Charlotte Young, British Catholic History Choice Outstanding Academic Title 2022 “Excellent. Hutton combines outstanding story-telling with impressive analysis. For the first time he cuts through Cromwell’s earnest talk to the slyness. What emerges is something we have not had for a very long time—a really ‘fresh’ life of this major figure in British history.”—John Morrill, author of Oliver Cromwell and the English Revolution “Hutton has given us a rich and radical reassessment of Oliver Cromwell. Essential reading for all who wish to understand this towering figure and his turbulent times.”—Miranda Malins, author of The Puritan Princess “A gripping, often lyrical and sometimes waspish biography that succeeds brilliantly in its aim: making sense of the most complex and fascinating man in British history.”—Tom Holland, author of Dominion “A brilliantly fresh and original account of the early life of Oliver Cromwell. Powerfully written, stunningly well-researched and brimming with new insights and perspectives, Hutton’s book provides us with perhaps the most vivid and immediate portrait we have ever had of the future Lord Protector.”—Mark Stoyle, author of Soldier and Strangers