Harefoot ruled England in place of his half-brother, Harthacnut, who was busy fighting a rebellion in Norway at the time. Instead, after coming to power, Mary tried Bucer posthumously for heresy. [6]4 Oliver CromwellThe VENGEFUL Execution Of Oliver Cromwell – The Lord ProtectorOliver Cromwell was and remains a controversial figure in English history. King Charles had Cromwell’s body removed from its tomb and executed for regicide. Teach’s dead men were buried while the living were tried and executed.