I had a row with Oliver Cromwell this week. I swear… that man… no sense of personal accountability for his actions whatsoever. I called him a megalomaniac and a cruel despot. He was having none of it. “This is a highly inaccurate view of my character and policies,” he said. “During my tenure as Lord Protector, I worked hard to improve the lives of all English citizens and brought about many reforms that benefited the poor and marginalised in society.” “You weren’t exactly a fun guy”, I reminded him. “I may not have been a particularly fun person, but my...