Chapter Sixteen | The Protectorate Flashcards
What was ‘The Instrument of Government’?
Britain’s first written constitution - defined the relationship between the Head of State, Council of State, & Parliament (Lambert feared potentially unrestricted nature of parliamentary power)
What were the key terms of ‘The Instrument of Government’?
The ‘Protector’ was the Head of State
Elected Parliaments every 3yrs for a minimum of 5 months
Council of State to play a central role in finance & control of army
Gave control of Militia to Protector & Parliament
How many ordinances did the Protector and his Council of State pass before the First Protectorate Parliament opened?
83 - mostly dealing w/ finance to make the tax collection system more efficient
When did the First Protectorate Parliament open?
3 Sept 1654
What were the main Republican concerns during the First Protectorate Parliament?
Cromwell’s control of army & authority to enact ordinances w/o Parliament
What was Cromwell’s response to Republican concerns during the First Protectorate Parliament?
Stated the ‘fundamentals’ of gov:
- Single person & Parliament
- Regular elections
- Religious freedom
- Joint control of militia
What was ‘the Recognition’?
Oath that MPs were forced to take, recognising the first of the ‘fundamentals’
What was the result of ‘the Recognition’, and what does this suggest about the state of Cromwell’s government?
100 MPs refused and withdrew from Parliament
> Cromwell’s goal of godly reformation alienated the traditional conservative PN, reinforcing his reliance on the army - in turn hampering his hopes of settlement w/ Parliament
What was Biddle’s case?
In 1654, Biddle was accused of blasphemy by MPs (denied Trinity & divinity of Christ) & the Commons declared he should be imprisoned and his work burned - attempt to enforce Parliament’s right to control religion over the Protector & Council
