SOURCE: "The First Civil War, 1642-1646," in Oliver Cromwell, Blackwell Publishers, 1996, pp. 43-66.

In the following excerpt, Gaunt employs letters and speeches to demonstrate Cromwell's evolution as military leader and politician during the Civil War of 1642-1646.

I was a person that from my first employment was suddenly preferred and lifted up from lesser trusts to greater, from my first being a captain of a troop of horse. And I did labour as well as I could to discharge my trust, and God blessed me as it pleased Him. And I did truly and plainly,—and then in a way of foolish simplicity, as it was judged by many great and wise men, and good men too,—desire to make use of my instruments to help in this work.¹

Years later, in spring 1657, Cromwell recalled his service as captain of a cavalry troop during the opening year of...