Oliver Cromwell lived like a king while dismantling the monarchy
In short: After the execution of Charles I, the new republican regime faced a dilemma: how to govern a nation without the crown's infrastructure. The answer was surprisingly familiar. Instead of abandoning royal luxury, Oliver Cromwell adopted the monarchy's magnificent residences to house the machinery of his new state.
Following the death of Charles I, Parliament initiated what has been described as the sale of the century. In 1649, acts were passed to liquidate the King's possessions and Crown lands to address a chronic lack of cash. However, the government realized that whoever led the republic would require a functional seat of power. As a result, the state kept various prominent locations, such as Whitehall, Somerset House, the Tower of London, St. James’s, Hampton Court, and Richmond Palace, instead of selling them. These specific landmarks were spared from the liquidation and remained under government ownership.
By the end of 1653, the transition of power was solidified when Oliver Cromwell was named Lord Protector. While he lacked a royal title, his role was effectively that of a king in all but name. To manage the realm, he required the same grand scale of architecture and administration as his predecessors. He settled at Whitehall by Easter 1654, using it as both a family home and the primary seat of government. This move highlights a paradox: the revolutionary government relied on the physical symbols of the old regime to maintain authority.
Historical evidence of Cromwell's personal life is surprisingly sparse, as household and repair accounts for his tenure are virtually non-existent. Yet, remaining records depict a person who enjoyed refined things—fond of French trends and furniture, while behaving like a prince. This continuity of luxury persisted until 1658; only after Cromwell's death, as the financial crisis peaked in 1659, was Whitehall finally put on the market, where it was eventually reclaimed by Charles II.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Revolutionary State?: Royal Palaces in Cromwell's England - Professor Simon Thurley
- Also: Revolutionary State? Royal Palaces in Cromwell's England
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