3.6 The Major-Generals

Question 1

Introduction of the Major-Generals, 1655-57

Answer 1

MG introduced, to a degree, as a result of Cromwell’s and Lambert’s overreaction to the failure of the First Protectorate Parliament, the Western Design and the apparent renewed Royalist threat.

Question 2

Reasons for resorting to the rule of the Major-Generals

Answer 2

1. Religious reformation: would be used to enforce godly reformation.
2. Failure of the Western Design: for Cromwell this failure suggested that reformation was needed and he would use the MG to enforce this.
3. Finance: the decimation tax introduced under the MG was an attempt to reduce the army to a cheaper militia.
4. Royalism: Penruddock’s rising indicated the continuing potential threat of royalism and Royalists.

Question 3

Establishing the rule

Answer 3

To establish the rule of the MG, Lambert split England into 11 areas, with 11 MG assigned to each. MG were selected as leading officers in the NMA.

Question 4

The Instructions, August and October 1655 and June 1656

Answer 4

1. They were to ‘endeavour the suppressing of all insurrections, rebellions or other unlawful assemblies’.
2. Promoting reformation by suppressing gaming houses, taverns and brothels

Question 5

How successful were the MG?

Answer 5

• What the MG actually did depended on the attitude of the individual MG.
• MG Edward Whalley made huge efforts in his area to improve the lot of those at the bottom of society.
• Main focus was the security of the regime but some sought to enforce godliness in their areas by trying to shut down alehouses, brothels or gambling.

Question 6

Negative issues associated with the MG rule:

Answer 6

• Obvious sign of military rule
• Lower social origins
• Religious radicalism
• Higher taxes
• Interference in local government

Question 7

Concerns in Government

Answer 7

• Political Nation were concerned about the role of the military in the state.
• The MG rule posed a threat to the PN’s control of the localities.
• Gentry felt threatened by the greater role played by the lesser gentry, soldiers and merchants as a result of the revolution.
• Concerns seemed to be confirmed when many of the MG removed conservative men from local government so their rule could be more effective.

Question 8

Concerns with finance

Answer 8

• Concern that the high levels of taxation, raised to support the army, were to be permanent.
• Failure to achieve a parliamentary financial settlement became a central problem in the years 1656-59.

Question 9

Decimation tax

Answer 9

• Decimation tax hindered the acceptance of the regime by the Royalists.
• Those subjected to the tax were small in number but the process of examining their records did little for reconciliation.
• Failed financially in its main task to raise enough money to allow the regime to reduce the army and transfer military security to a militia.

Question 10

Concerns with religion

Answer 10

• NMA was invariably linked with religious radicalism and prevented persecution of radicals.
• Threat of religious radicals raised fears among the conservation PN.
• Radicals threatened the social, economic and political hierarchy.
• The apparent explosion of Quaker numbers in the 1650s further heightened this fear.

Question 11

The Militia Bill, 1657

Answer 11

An attempt was made to enforce the decimation tax legally by introducing the Militia Bill. This would make the tax permanent, which would strengthen the position of the MG.

Question 12

MPs reaction

Answer 12

• Most MPs reacted negatively.
• Militia Bill debates were part of a power struggle at the heart of the Protectorate between the ‘military’ and ‘civilians’.

Question 13

Cromwell

Answer 13

• MP’s unease led Cromwell to abandon the Generals.
• Foresaw that the decimation tax would not lead to long-term stability.
• Through opposition to the tax he showed he was willing to sacrifice the MG and Lambert in order to get a conservative, parliamentary-based settlement.