Not that Cromwell — the Other Cromwell

Thomas Cromwell: The protagonist of Wolf Hall

The name "Cromwell" is probably familiar to you if you were fortunate enough to grow up in the era when we were all expected to know something of European history, especially as it related to US history. That is probably because of Oliver Cromwell, an English parliamentarian and military man who was a leader of the "Roundhead" faction in the English civil war which took place in the mid 1600s. Oliver Cromwell was one of the signatories of the death warrant of King Charles I in 1649, and he later became Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England during a brief period between 1649 and 1660 when England was without a king, and Parliament was the ultimate authority. The name of Cromwell is much reviled, especially in Ireland, because of his role first in the military subjugation of Ireland and then in near-genocidal punitive measures taken afterward against Catholics in Scotland and Ireland.

Oliver Cromwell: Great great great nephew of Thomas

So was Oliver Cromwell related to Thomas Cromwell, and if so, how? Well, you will recall from the book that Cromwell's nephew Richard Williams changed his name to Richard Cromwell to honor his uncle Thomas, who was his guardian. Richard Cromwell was the great grandfather of Oliver Cromwell, which makes Thomas Cromwell Oliver's thrice-great uncle.

 Not this Cromwell Either

Actor James Cromwell

The guy who played the farmer in the movie "Babe."