IV.Oliver Cromwell (1649-1658) English soldier and statesman helped make England a republic:the Commonwealth of England then ruled as lord protector from 1653 to 1658. 超 IV. Oliver Cromwell (1649-1658) ▪ English soldier and statesman ▪ helped make England a republic: the Commonwealth of England ▪ then ruled as lord protector from 1653 to 1658