Chapter Fourteen | The Consolidation of the Rump

Question 1

When did the Rump vote to abolish monarchy?

Answer 1

Feb 1649

Question 2

How did the Rump assert its authority?

Answer 2

An engagement act in Jan 1650 by which all adult males had to declare allegiance to Commonwealth

A treason act in July 1650 made it illegal to deny the authority of the regime

Question 3

Was the engagement act successful?

Answer 3

Proved impossible to enforce this in practice - Rump’s survival depended on how it met threat from Scotland & Ireland

Question 4

Why did Cromwell’s campaign in Scotland begin?

Answer 4

The leader of the covenanters (Argyll) declared Charles Stuart as Charles II of Scotland & he returned from the Hague w/ a military to invade England

Question 5

Why was Cromwell’s army victorious in the battle at Dunbar in 1650?

Answer 5

Religious motivation at the core of NMA gave them confidence (despite weakened force of 16,300 to 11,000)

English sea power ensured his forces could be resupplied

Better funded due to England’s stronger economy

Question 6

Why did Cromwell’s campaign in Ireland begin?

Answer 6

Cromwell landed w/ 10,000 parliamentary troops in Aug 1649 to impose English Protestant control (some Irish supported Charles Stuart)

Question 7

How did Cromwell attempt to destroy the ability of the Irish Catholics to pose a serious threat to English authority?

Answer 7

Series of bloody sieges of Irish Catholic strongholds