Quote Originally Posted by Papewaio
The King was a figure head and could potentially lose it quite easily after Cromwell...
I still get the impression in reading various accounts that the King had far more than just ceremonial power and influence at the time. While unable to be a despot, the Kings still appears to have had more power than a figurehead. Today, the Royals are truly figureheads.

I've not studied that period of British history closely enough (looked a bit at Scotland, U.S. and France in the time period though.) I realize the general effect Cromwell had, but it wasn't complete yet. I still laugh about the revenge taken in exhuming Cromwell and others to draw and quarter their bodies.