Most MPs wanted him to accept. However, most of the army officers and soldiers did not want him to become king. Some historians think that Cromwell refused the crown because he thought God would frown on him. Accepting the crown would show pride and ambition and Cromwell thought this would offend God.

When did Oliver Cromwell reject the crown?

After a long period of deliberation and prayer, on May 8th, Cromwell rejected the crown, while accepting the main tenets of the new, civilian, constitution.

Why did Oliver Cromwell get his head chopped off?

In 1661, the year after Charles II restored the monarchy, Cromwell was dug up, put on trial and hung from the famous gallows at Tyburn, then had his head chopped off! To send a message of the King's power, Cromwell's head was placed on a pike on the roof of Westminster Hall where it stayed for thirty years.