Ruler (Lord Protector) of England (1653–1658 CE)
Party to the execution of King Charles I, Cromwell dominated the short–lived Commonwealth of England.
In 1655–1657, Cromwell encourages the return of the Jews to England.
In 1290, 366 years prior, King Edward I via his Edict of Expulsion had expelled all the Jew of England (and conveniently confiscated all their wealth). During his reign, Edward I had also executed 300 Jewish heads–of–households in England, and mandated a yellow badge for the entire Jewish populace.
It is believed that Cromwell in 1655, viewing the prosperity that the Jews were credited with bringing to Holland, England’s prime commercial rival, hoped that returning Jews would help England recover after its devastating civil wars.
The backdrop to the invitation to the Jews includes ongoing conflict between Catholics and Protestants across England, Scotland and Ireland. Cromwell (Protestant) had been Military Commander 1649–50 of the Parliament–directed campaign, which conquered first Ireland and then Scotland (both Catholic).