What is the average British opinion of Oliver Cromwell - that he was a great leader, or that he was a traitor?

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Opinions are divided on Cromwell just as they population were in his day. He was born the son of a country gentleman in Huntingdon on 25 April 1599 and fought for Parliament against the King during the Civil Wars (1642-9). His was one of the 59 signatures on the King's death warrant, resulting in the execution of Charles I in 1649. He rose to prominence, becoming 'Protector of the Commonwealth' in 1653. In spite of disagreements with Parliament, Cromwell secured peace and prosperity at home and pursued a successful foreign policy. He was offered the crown in 1657 but chose instead the title of Lord Protector. Cromwell died of malaria on 3 September 1658, aged 59. A public funeral was held with full regal ceremony. The hearse alone cost £4000 and estimates of the total funeral expenses range from £28,000 to £60,000, an extraordinary sum when the average wage was under one shilling per day. At the Restoration of the monarchy in 1661, however, Cromwell's elaborate hearse was destroyed. His body was exhumed, the head severed and the corpse cast into a pit under the gallows. The decapitated head was placed on a pole above Westminster Hall. Various accounts suggest that Cromwell's head blew off in a high wind falling at the feet of the sentry on guard, who took it home. It depends on your point of view regarding monarchy Aug 15 03, 3:44 AM

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