Oliver Cromwell signed documentA scarce document signed by Oliver Cromwell and dated 1650 With military content, regarding payment of New Model Army troops The man who changed British history. Oliver Cromwell (1599 1658) was Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland from 1653 to 1658 the first time in 800 years that England had not been ruled by a king. Cromwell was one of the most vociferous opponents of Charles Is rule and was second in command of the parliamentary troops