Thomas Cromwell

[Shatnerfan]

Was this Henry VIII aide any relation of Oliver, the Lord Protector?

[Quizmonster]

Yes, but a distant relation. Click http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/state/monarchs_leaders/cromwell_01.shtml

and read the first sentences of the paragraph that opens "Oliver Cromwell was born..." (Thomas died almost 60 years before Oliver was born, so they were quite distant in time, too.)