Expert: Mark Smith - 5/2/2005

Question
I'm doing a term paper for my history class and was asked to ask other people that know this area of history what they thought of Oliver Cromwell's death.  How do you think he died?  Do you think
he died a natural death or was he murdered?  Why do you think this, also do you know any good sources for this information?  I would
appreciate it a lot if you could answer me back if you have any extra time

Answer
Hello Kris.
I don't think Cromwell was murdered. A possible cause of death was European malaria or tertian ague as they called it then. It was not the same disease that killed thousands of Europeans in the tropics, but a less virulent strain. An infection from the bladder stones he was known to have suffered from is another possibility.
His final illness is well described in "Cromwell Our Chief of Men" by Antonia Fraser.
Mark