Lord Protector
🔊/ˌlɔːd prəˈtektə(r)/
🔊/ˌlɔːrd prəˈtektər/
(also Protector, Lord Protector of the Commonwealth)
the title given to Oliver Cromwell and later to his son Richard (1626-1712) during the period after the English Civil War known as the Protectorate (1653-9). During this time Cromwell and his son claimed powers to rule the country, including the power to rule without Parliament.