1. The Rump Parliament

Question 1

When were the rump sitting?

Answer 1

1649 - April 1653

Question 2

What was left following prides purge?

Answer 2

PRIDES PURGE - left behind the rump, consisting of

• 71 MPs
• 43 of these had signed the death warrant
• an additional 83 rejoined in he following months
• meaning that a total of 211 members had sat by the time they were dissolved

Question 3

Why did the rump rely on the the army?

Answer 3

The rump were both established and sustained by the army. They came into being as a result of a military purge, a fact that compromised its authority throughout its reign

Question 4

What did the rump achieve in cromwells absence?

Of the 211 members, how many were active?

Answer 4

Of the 211 members, only 60-70 were active

Question 5

What did the rump achieve in cromwells absence?
Legislative committees went from 152 in 1649 to ___ in 1653, with acts passed diminishing from 125 in 1649 to ___ in 1653

Answer 5

Legislative committees went from 152 in 1649 to 12 in 1653, with acts passed diminishing from 125 in 1649 to 10 in 1653

Question 6

What did the rump achieve in cromwells absence?
What percentage of legislation was devoted the the following:
- Security and finance
- Local government and army
- Religious reform

Answer 6

Security and finance - 51%
Local government and army - 30%
Religious reform - 3%

Question 7

However, what DID the rump achieve in Cromwell’s absence?

Answer 7

• Converted legal proceedings from Latin to English
• Prescribed death penalty for adultery and incest
• Introduced a strict observance of the sabbath
  By 1653, both France and Spain recognised the legitimacy of the rump

Question 8

Were the rump inactive?

Answer 8

It would be unfair to suggest that the rump were inactive, it was more that they had failed to meet Cromwells impossible expectations, and were therefore deemed ineffective

Question 9

When, why and how were the rump dismissed?

Answer 9

RUMP FORCIBLY DISSOLVED April 1653

• The rump had promised the hand power over to the army council by April 1653
• With the help of general Harrison, a fifth monarchist, Cromwell forcibly dissolved the rump, claiming ‘Drunkards! Whoremasters! You have sat here too long for the good you do’

Question 10

Why did the rump struggle?

Answer 10

Many were still recoiling from revolution and wanted healing and settling, though others continued to push for more reform
These conflicting demands meant that it became impossible to satisfy the demands of the public