1649-1660 Flashcards
1
Q
aftermath of civil war
A
- rump parliament found itself the sole source of authority in the country
- 17th march 1649, it passed an ordinance abolishing monarchy and the house of lords, two months later england was a commonwealth (a republic)
- many royalists remained and the rump was a small portion of parl
- rebellion stirred in ireland also as fears of the new protestant parliament concerned the catholic irish
2
Q
initial successes of the republic
A
- new model army was able to first subdue the scots + then the irish in rapid succession
- a royalist revolt was crushed as well
- rump had control over all the kingdoms
- law courts continued to function and order was maintained
- the achievement strengthened the rump’s position
- rump enjoyed the army’s support and maintained it power
- legitimacy was a huge issue as without a king it was unclear where legitimate authority lay
- the lack of clarity increased the potential for objections and dissent to anything the rump did
- divisions in government developed as different groups regarding the future of england
- the army generally wanted wider religious and legal reform while the civilians preferred a return to the old way
3
Q
reform in the republic
A
- rump turned its attention to reform at home in an attempt to reduce some problems it faced
- abolition of church courts saw moral offences made into crimes, laws were passed against adultery + blasphemy and the observance of the sabbath was enforced
- army sought law reforms as well as the abolition of tithes and religious toleration for all protestants
- toleration act 1650 was passed which promoted freedom of worship by repealing an earlier statute which required the compulsory attendance at anglican services
- catholics however were excluded from this act as the rump still intended to curb catholic influence
4
Q
rise of religious radicalism
A
- national church system was less regulated than before and non-conformists found it much easier to practise their religions
- more sects arose and formed their own churches outside
- some challenged traditional doctrines, for instance women in these sects often had more equality than the established church, they were allowed to preach and debate
- personal freedom drew women to these sects in large numbers
5
Q
two factors prevented the rump from providing stability
A
- proposed reforms involved complex areas such as the law that could not be agreed upon. hale commission was set up in 1651 to investigate reform of the legal system. they met regularly but recommendations weren’t adopted.
- in 1649, 125 acts passed, reduced to just 51 in 1652
- maintaining a large standing army, maintenance was the major reason for high taxation. the regime could not reduce or dispense with the army. in april 1649, the rump began the sale of crown lands to raise money
- but wars in scotland, ireland and the dutch led to shortfall in revenue of £700,000 in 1653
6
Q
cromwell
A
- cromwell returned to england in 1650 to conquer scotland.
- scots had cut ties with the english after charles I was killed.
- after charles II was declared king in scotland and made peace with the covenaters, they assembled an army to invade england
- cromwell was appointed commander-in-chief and in september 1650, defeated the scots at dunbar
- charles led his army south a year later. a dispirited army was defeated by cromwell at worcester on 3rd september 1651
7
Q
rump’s dissolution
A
- combination of repressive measures and apparent self-seeking by parl drove cromwell to dissolve the rump in 1653
- elections would increase the representation of conservative views, cromwell was aware that any chance of further reforms would disappear
- rump planned to push through a bill for elections before addressing any reforms desired by the army, he ordered its dissolution
8
Q
nominated assembly
A
- formed by cromwell to replace the rump
- assembly would be able to investigate the necessary reforms without interference
- the assembly found itself divided between those who wished for moderate reform and those who wished for radical reform
- fearful of what the radicals might do, moderates returned their authority to cromwell
9
Q
cromwell: lord protector
A
- had the utmost loyalty of the army which secured his position
- succeeded in maintaining a semblance of order + combined with his control of the army, the elite accepted him
- remaining royalists kept quiet as they had already lost so much
- cromwell was able to maintain a balance between the army, who wanted wide reform and civilians who were tired of endless conflicts
- cromwell’s command of the loyalty of the army that kept him in power
10
Q
religion under the protectorate
A
- start of the protectorate saw an extension of religious reform that LP had begun
- cromwell was a strong believer in the liberty of conscience
- liberty of worship was granted to protestants except those in the most extreme sects
- catholics were excluded from this and politics, they weren’t allowed to vote
- cromwell wanted the creation of a ‘godly’ state, one formed of pure morals
- laws against blasphemy, drunkenness and swearing were enforced
- cromwell blamed any military defeats on immoral nature if england, a sign god wanted reform
- he upheld the austere reforms made by LP, he banned st valentines day
- many people didn’t like the austerity that was being introduced and forced control of morals that made puritanism unpopular in the years to come
11
Q
the fall of the protectorate
A
- 1658 oliver cromwell died and his son richard cromwell succeeded him
- he recalled parliament to deal with the financial situation
- richard didn’t have the same support of the army that his father did due to his lack of military experience
- he was unable to maintain the balance
- in 1659 the army leaders, led by general lambert, took richard into custody and forced him to disband the protectorate
- dissatisfaction led them to re-call parliament which voted to end the protectorate
12
Q
formation of nominated assembly
A
- cromwell advised by general lambert to introduce a new constitution
- various churches and radical groups were asked to nominate an assembly of good men
- cromwell formed a committee of 4 generals which asked the independent churches to nominate members for a new parliament
- council of officers added several more names and reduced the total to 140
- members were of the lesser gentry and some fifth monarchists
- some reforms were enacted: legal measures to help debtors, civil marriage was allowed and regulations concerning the treatment of the insane
- radical ‘saints’ felt they couldn’t work with the ‘sinners’ of the conservative gentry
- dec 1653, the more moderate members met and voted to dissolve the assembly
- instrument of government produced offering a new constitution, formalised in a protectorate, with government by a single person in oliver cromwell and parl designed by lambert
13
Q
successes of rump parliament
A
- march 1649 monarchy and house of lords abolished, england declared a commonwealth in may
- reform of law= ending imprisonment for debt and end high taxation. act for relief of poor debtors
- toleration act 1650 abolished need for people to attend church as long as they went to some form of religious service each week
- various acts dealing with religious matters intended to advance moral and godly reformation
- blasphemy act 1650
14
Q
reasons for failure of rump parliament
A
- revolution of 1649 was the work of a minority- source of fear was the army on which the regime depended
- hale commission was set up in 1652 to investigate the reform of the legal system, met regularly but recommendations weren’t adopted. in 1649, 125 acts passed, but in 1652 only 51 passed.
- shortfall in revenue of £700,000 in 1653 due to ongoing necessity of army + wars in ireland. (1649= cromwell victories in drogheda and wexford. controversial slaughter of those who had surrendered). (first-anglo dutch war 1652-54= monthly assessment raised to £90,000 to pay for warships).
15
Q
blasphemy act 1650
A
imprisoned those encouraging acts of uncleanness and profane swearing - used to limit most radical sects
16
Q
instrument of government dec 1653- new constitution
A
- written by major general lambert
- gave authority to government by a single person as lord protector, successors to be chosen by parl, assisted by a council of 13-21 filled by parl, and a parl designed by lambert
- checks and balances- no provision for amendment, religious toleration for all but catholics and radicals
- single chamber parl would meet at least 5 months every 3 years and be composed of 400 english, 30 scottish and 30 irish. army of 10,000 horses and 20,000 foot paid for by constant yearly revenue
- cromwell to remain head of new model army
- to be a state church but freedom of worship for all except catholics and supporters of bishops
17
Q
first protectorate parliament and successes
A
- cromwell had 9 months with authority to rule by ordinance
- 460 members of single chamber parl
- parl elected every 3 years by voters with at least £200 of personal property
successes - 84 ordinances issued including banning of bear-baiting, improving postal service and allowing for the maintenance of roads
- laws to prohibit blasphemy and drunkenness
18
Q
major generals + successes
A
- penruddock’s rising march 1653 royalist rebellion in wiltshire, easily put down
- defeat by the spanish-fleet turned back april 1655
- country divided into 11 districts each under a command of a major general because centralised military rule was imposed
- responsible for local government and security
- encouraged to attempt a ‘reformation of manners’ across the social spectrum
- m-g to be assisted in their task by a new militia, to be paid for by a 10% tax on estates of royalists
successes - in lancashire, m-g worsley closed down 200 alehouses
- in linconshire, m-g whalley suppressed traditional entertainment including stage plays and horse-racing
19
Q
reasons for unpopularity of major-generals
A
- paid for by a decimation tax on royalists (100% income)
- military nature, restrictions imposed on social activities + replacement of local elites by outsiders were unpopular
- second protectorate parliament didn’t renew funding
20
Q
second protectorate parliament sept 1656-june 1657, successes + failures
A
- similar results to 1654 but council of state tried to avoid repeat of problems by excluding 100 known republicans + another 500 mps stayed away
succeses - reform measure including to set poor to work and ending indecent fashion among women
failures - nayler case- quaker who re-enacted jesus’ entry into Jerusalem in oct 1656 in bristol. he was arrested and brought to london where mps voted he was guilty of ‘horrid blasphemy.’ he was sentenced to be branded, bored through the tongue, flogged twice and imprisonment for life
- highlighted continued absence of parl support for religious toleration and that under the instrument of government nobody to arbitrate between LP + parl
21
Q
humble petition and advice feb 1657
A
- written by civilian cromwellians (conservative faction of)
- based on restoration of the monarchy
- gave executive authority to government by king, privy council of no more than 21 chosen by LP and approved by parliament, commons and other houses to govern with protector
- ‘other house’ of between 40-70 members nominated by cromwell and approved by commons
- cromwell has arguably more power than what he would have being king
- provision for a hereditary succession, regular elections, limited religious toleration and parl to control the army
22
Q
second protectorate parliament jan-feb 1658, successes + failures
A
- common wealthsmen excluded from 1st sitting returned
- several leaders of parl appointed to other house= cromwell lost some effective parliamentarians
successes - regular elections, religious toleration and parl have to approve government officials and control the army
failure - army not keen and cromwell refused the crown
- prevented smooth running of par and didn’t like other house
- commonwealthsmen made common cause with disaffected elements in the army- to prevent a republican petition that called for the abandonment of the protectorate and restoration of the rump
23
Q
richard cromwell’s parliament jan-april 1659 + failures
A
- richard cromwell nominated by his father to succeed him as LP
- initially acceptable to all but lacked political experience
- new parl called jan 1659 but chosen on pre-protectorate franchise
failures - RC appointed fleetwood commander-in-chief under LP
- when state of finances became clear RC sided with parl against army’s general council of officers which he tried to dissolve
- GCO stood firm and insisted protectorate be dissolved
- april protectorate dissolved
- may RC resigned
24
Q
threats to the rump: levellers
A
- initial threat to the rump
- felt betrayed when new democratic elections were held
- leaders were tried and others released once they agreed to oath of engagement
- john lilburne returned to london and published england’s new chains discovered in feb 1649
- lilburne was soon imprisoned in the tower of london
- threat level: low -> other groups became more radical
25
Q
threats to the rump: irish
A
- ireland had been in revolt since 1641 and under control of anti-english forces
- charles’ potential leadership of the revolt was a worry as their recognition of him as king would’ve undermined the legitimacy of the rump’s rule
- threat level: low -> cromwell got most of ireland under control
26
Q
threats to the rump: scots
A
- angry at execution and declaration of their recognition of charles II
- offered an army to invade england in return for the establishment of a presbyterian church
- threat was not just military, but it was political and religious
- threat level: high -> scots were furious with the english because they executed charles. army began to see the rump as corrupt and self-serving
27
Q
threats to the rump: opposition from army
A
- acts passed by the rump didn’t satisfy the army
- army had saved them from dissolution and expected more radical moves towards a godly reformation
- army saw the rump as correct and out for themselves
- threat level: high -> army had reasons to be dissatisfied with the rump, not only because of limited nature of legislation but because fewer acts were being passed
28
Q
threats to the rump: domestic policy
A
- threat to the popularity and stability of the rump
- moderate legislation passed at a time when radical changes was being called for
- rump passed various religious acts, but did nothing about tithes
- law reform commission was set up, no recommendations were implemented
- threat level: low to moderate -> main threat was the loss of support in the army
29
Q
threats to the rump: taxation
A
- rump had to keep high tax
- no peace divided was given and resentment was caused against regime
- actually cheaper under the monarchy
- threat level: low -> potential threat in long term but not immediate threat
30
Q
threats to the rump: foreign policy
A
- rump passed navigation act harmed the dutch
- clash led to a 2 year war
- a drain on funds + military resources
- threat level: none -> direct result of rumps own policy
31
Q
church under rump parliament
A
- widely expected to introduce immediate and radical changes
- radicals who wanted universal toleration for protestant sects
- steps were taken to curb the excesses of millenarians and ranters
- moral offences were made into secular crimes
- adultery act of 1650 imposed the death penalty for adultery and fornication, launched an attack on more radical sects
- blasphemy act 1650 was aimed at curbing extreme religious enthusiasm
- censorship was imposed in order to limit propagation of millenarian pamphlets
- toleration act 1650 a statute compelling attendance at church
32
Q
committee of triers- cromwell’s reformation of church
A
responsibility for examining the qualities and beliefs of the parish clergy, confirming the livings of those who were acceptable and appointing new ministers to vacant parishes
33
Q
committee of ejectors- cromwell’s reformation of church
A
function to remove the inadequate and the scandalous, but again the decision was based on their qualities as ministers rather than on their denominational preference
34
Q
attempts at toleration- cromwell’s reformation of church
A
allowed freedom to those who wished to meet in voluntary gatherings outside the establishment, provided that their doctrines were neither blasphemous nor dangerous
35
Q
what did the quakers believe?
A
- their eccentric manners and challenge to authority, their attacks on clerical privileges and social injustice and above all their success in attracting converts seemed to threaten further revolution
- they demanded the abolition of tithes, complete religious and condemned the wealthy
- by 1660 there were probably 60,000 quakers in england
36
Q
royalist resistance
A
- charles’ absence left the royalists leaderless and made it very difficult for them to organise themselves into an effective opposition to the republican regimes of the interregnum
- there was little backing in the localities fir the royalist cause
- more royalists were inhibited by restrictions that branded them as delinquents imposed heavy fines on them and in some cases, made their estates forfeit
- the decimation tax was successful in convincing them that open support for stuarts carried too high a price
37
Q
cromwell and the sects
A
- cromwell was tolerant to most moderate religious sects but condemned radicals and religious fanatics
- unless a religious belief led to subversue public behaviour it should be allowed
- cromwell took action to establish his beliefs with ordinances in 1653: established committees of tries + esectors
- anxious commissioners were drawn from many different denomination of Christianity
- quakers were disturbed by parliament ‘s treatment of Nayer, whom he believed as naive rather than intensely blasphemous
- cromwell’s attempts at religious balance caused strain with parliament
- his toleration only extended so far and not to catholics or arminians
38
Q
penruddock’s rising 1655
A
- rising led by John Penruddock in Wiltshire in march 1655
- penruddock led a contingent of royalist troops variously estimated between 200-400 in an attack on the gad in salisbury
- after only 2 days, his force was scattered and defeated. penruddock and the leading conspirators were tried and executed. while a number of the lesser rebels were transported
reasons for failure - speed with which cromwell’s government moved to put it down
- the readiness and ability of authorities in the localities to raise 4000 local militia troops
- penruddock’s attack aroused no support
- the quality of the intelligence service on which the government could rely. this contrasted sharply with the inadequate royalist network of communication
39
Q
battle of worcester 1651
A
- charles II invaded england to reclaim the throne with 16,000 soldiers (mostly scottish troops)
- oliver cromwell had a parliamentary army of 28,000
- royalists took position in worcester, hoping for english support
- cromwell surrounded the city and launched a full scale attack
- royalists were defeated- over 3,000 killed and 10,000 captured
- charles II escaped to france after hiding for weeks
- marked the end of the civil wars and confirmed cromwell’s power
40
Q
first anglo-dutch war 1652-54
A
- stemmed from economic tensions, particularly the navigation act
- war ended with the treaty of westminister which confirmed english dominance at sea
41
Q
reduction of army discussed
A
in january, when parliament assembly, richard’s authority was accepted and MPs showed a willingness to vote supplies, but also began to discuss the reduction of the army and its replacement by a local militia
42
Q
richard agrees petition
A
in april 1659, richard agrees to this only to be faced with a petition to dissolve parliament and a declaration from fleetwood that he couldn’t guarantee the army’s loyalty if he refused
43
Q
recalling of the rump
A
richard dissolved parliament and on 7th may the army agreed to recall the rump. richard retired with a pension and payment of his debts
44
Q
monck declared for the rump
A
george monck declared his support for the rump and civilian government. he gathered his troops and crossed the river tweed into england, the committee of safety authorised lambert to raise a force in yorkshire to resist him
45
Q
A
