The Cromwellian Conquest refers to the military campaign led by Oliver Cromwell during the English Civil War in the mid-17th century, specifically targeting Ireland from 1649 to 1653. Cromwell aimed to subdue Irish resistance and establish English control over the island, which had been a source of conflict and rebellion against English rule. Cromwell's forces employed brutal tactics, resulting in significant loss of life and widespread destruction. Key battles, such as the sieges of Drogheda and Wexford, exemplified the harsh measures taken. The conquest led to the confiscation of land from Irish Catholics and the establishment of Protestant settlements, reshaping Ireland's social and political landscape.