Barebones and First Protectorate Flashcards
What was Cromwell’s motive for the godly assembly? What compromise was made? Who mocked it?
Cromwell encouraged the Council of State to set a godly assembly of god-fearing men. 140 were selected in July 1653 and became known as the Parliament of the Saints or the Barebones Parliament. It was mocked by republicans and called Barebones after the London leather-seller Praise-God Barebone. Cromwell wanted a stable institution larger than the Sanhedrin institution wanted by Harrison as concession to John Lambert, a republican.
What action by the Assembly disappointed Cromwell? What religious divide was there in Barebones 1653?
The Assembly declared itself a Parliament which disappointed Cromwell. A minority were Fifth-Monarchists and extreme sectarians who saw Christ’s Second Coming – their rejection of social order and property rights overshadowed proceeds.
What sort of people made up the Barebones?
116 members were ranked gentry, 119 were JPs, and 40 had attended University, with another 40 having been trained as lawyers. In July 1653 it appointed a Council of State of 31 members with officers such as Cromwell, but a civilian majority, and had set dissolution for Nov 1654.
When was Barebones dissolved and why?
On 12 December 1653 the Barebones government was dissolved with moderates meeting behind the back of sectarians and voting to end it after radicals tried to overturn tithes. Cromwell was said not to know about this but the Instrument of Government was being developed with his full knowledge before dissolution. The threat to get rid of monthly assessment was a blatant threat to the army which depended on it.
What useful reform was made by Barebones and what limited it?
Useful reform had been made with reform on law of debt, human treatment of the insane, registration of births, deaths, and marriages, alongside protection for travellers on highways. Asides from this when Cromwell advised godly institution to turn people away from Presbyterianism on July 4th they were not advised on reform.
What was the Instrument’s structure? (Dec 1653 - Parl elected in Sept 1654)
- Had a Lord Protector with Council of State aid.
- Single-chamber Parliament of 400 members from England and Wales who met at least once every 3 years and Scotland+Ireland represented by 30 MPs a piece.
- Hurt Levellers with requirement men had property income of £200+ to vote.
- Royalists debarred from voting or standing for election.
- National Church to be set up with religious freedom for all excluding radical sects and papists.
- Standing army of 30,000.
What discussions had Cromwell made regarding his status in the Instrument/first Protectorate?
Cromwell had had negotiations with Lambert and army officers in Nov 1653. He rejected title of monarch, preferring to be made Lord Protector as this had links with ancient constitution while throwing away rumours he intended to be King, He wore a plain black coat at his ceremony.
What preparation had Cromwell made before Parliament met?
In first nine months before Parliament met in Sept 1654 Cromwell drafted ordinances with the Council of State including regulation of assessment and excise, religious reorganisation and legal/administrative reforms of Rump.
Why was the Protectorate seen as not legitimate?
The legitimacy of the Protectorate was in question as its authority was derived from the Council of Officers and the Protectorate was never ratified by any of the Parliament during these years. The Army Council represented nobody but themselves so MPs had a right to challenge the Instrument.
In the Parl 1654 elections who gained increased power?
In months preceeding the Parliament, the elections returned Presbyterians and republicans. Cromwell reminded the MPs their duty was to provide good laws but the new Parliament attacked the Instrument, with Commonwealthsmen who criticised the dissolution of the Rump and called for religious freedom challenging the Protector’s right to civil and military authority. They demanded the standing army be reduced from 50,000 to 30,000 to reduce cost.
What motivated Cromwell to dissolve Parliament in 1655?
Cromwell had wished for the Parliament to begin healing and settling. However, Parliament voiced its concern at the tolerance already shown under the Protectorate. Cromwell issued an Oath of Loyalty resulting in exclusion of 100 members. Criticism wasn’t diminished. None of the 84 ordinances Cromwell had were passed by Parliament and they prepared a new bill to undermine authority given to him under the Instrument. In Jan 1655 he dissolved Parliament.
