Elizabeth __, the Lady Protector (1598 -1665) (8)

I believe the answer is:

cromwell

(Other definitions for cromwell that I've seen before include "Old English statesman" , "He gave the Irish the choice of going ''to hell or to Connacht''" , "Leader of the Roundheads, d.1658" , "dictator" , "Thomas or Oliver?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.

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