For centuries, rumors have circulated in England that Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell did not die of natural causes. Now, in a fascinating book that reads like a historical whodunit, we have a motive, a means, a murderer (complete with his own deathbed confession), and a supporting cast that includes John Milton and Andrew Marvell.

Almost from the moment of Cromwell's death in 1658, some writers and biographers dismissed suspicions of foul play. In a wide-ranging investigation that draws upon the fields of history, toxicology, medical forensics, and literature, H.F. McMains offers a fresh reading of evidence that has sat quietly in libraries and archives for more than two centuries. He examines the development of Cromwell's illness in 1658, analyzes his symptoms, and evaluates persons with motive, method, and opportunity to do him harm. The result is a reassessment of Cromwell's relationship with the English people and their government and a convincing investigation of his mysterious death.

H.F. McMains is an independent scholar who lives in Chicago.

Reviews:

"Before this book one could say that Cromwell may have been poisoned or died of other causes. Now one can say, based on the evidence here, that Cromwell was likely poisoned and who the poisoner and his accomplices likely were."-Martin J. Havran

"With his sharp, fast-moving prose, McMains often is entertaining and provocative. . . . [and] may well lend a veneer of respectability to these conspiracy theories. He demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of the period, and he marshals a formidable array of details to support his assertions."-Booklist

"McMains puts forth here an audacious theory -and argues for it strongly with evidence drawn from an impressive array of seventeenth-century sources. . . . A fascinating study."-Dale B.J. Randall

"Marshalls a formidable array of details to support his assertions. . . . Entertaining and provocative."-Booklist

"For over 300 years historians have assumed that Oliver Cromwell, England’s Lord Protector from 1653-1658 died of malaria. Now, making use of contemporary sources and forensic inquiries, McMains has a different diagnosis: murder by the exiled Stuart royalists."-Hollywood Inside Syndicate

"McMain's book -based on the first medical study of Cromwell's illness as chronicled in family letters- concludes that his symptoms indicate poisoning by antimony, mercury, and arsenic."-(London) Guardian

"As to the identity of the culprit who murdered Cromwell, readers will find the answer convincing."-Journal of Military History

"As much a murder mystery as a historical monograph. . . . The story is fascinating."-History

"McMains builds a powerful if circumstantial case for death by poisoning. . . . A fascinating historical whodunit that is exceedingly well told."-Choice

"An absorbing book, engagingly written. . . . There is plenty in the book to command the attention of the professional historian, as well as the general reader."-H-Net Reviews

"Engagingly explores questions that have never been conclusively answered. . . . For anyone interested in Cromwell or the Restoration, this book is a must-read."-Historically Speaking

"Takes the readers through the variety of illnesses afflicting seventeenth century persons, the toxicology of various potions and a careful examination of manuscript sources, each of which points to the probability that Cromwell died of poisoning. . . . Fascinating and informative."-Seventeenth-Century News