Cromwell is portrayed as leader of the Parliamentarian ('Roundhead') Army and de facto ruler after Charles I's execution. In 1649, however, he was still only second-in-command of the Army (he would not become commander-in-chief until well over a year later, following Sir Thomas Fairfax's resignation). William Lenthall, as Speaker of the House of Commons, was the nearest thing the new English Republic had to a Head of State until Oliver Cromwell took up the reigns of power as Lord Protector in 1653.