commonwealth and protectorate 1649-58

Question 1

when was the Rump parli

Answer 1

1649 to 53

Question 2

problems faced by the Rump

listed

Answer 2

1. the execution of Charles
2. role of the army
3. unpopular taxes
4. civil war in ireland

Question 3

the execution of charles

problems faced by the Rump

Answer 3

Charles’ death created a constitutional crisis, in that the traditional form of government had been abandoned but there was no agreement as to what should replace it. Most people still favoured monarchy; their opposition had been to the person of Charles I, his methods and policies, not the principle of monarchical government. The Rump itself was divided between radicals (republicans) and conservatives (monarchists). Yet, as a result of Pride’s Purge, Parliament was composed of those who sought to execute Charles, many of which were republicans. The Rump recognised that it* needed to be a more representative body* so, on 1 February 1649, allowed 80 MPs who had been excluded by Pride’s Purge to return to the House of Commons.

led to divisions

Question 4

role of the army

problems faced by the Rump

Answer 4

The Rump relied heavily on the military force of the New Model Army, primarily under the strategic command of Cromwell (who was the only individual to both command the army and sit in Parliament).

Yet, as we have seen in the previous topic, the army was not a united force by any means. There were divisions between the moderate officers and the more radical ordinary soldiers. These tensions had come to light in 1647 during** the Putney Debates. In 1649 these tensions re-emerged. The Levellers once again demanded a new constitution on the grounds of the 1647 the Agreement of the People**. They sought freedom of religion, the frequent convening of new parliaments and equality for all under the law.

In May, the Burford Mutiny took place where a large group of soldiers refused the orders of their generals and demanded political change. Once more, these soldiers were crushed through the use of force: Cromwell and Fairfax used loyal cavalry regiments to force them to surrender and then murdered the three leaders of the mutiny.

Question 5

unpopular taxes

problems faced by the Rump

Answer 5

Taxes, in the** form of the Weekly Assessments**, had been collected since 1643 by Parliament. This was grudgingly accepted during wartime, but by 1649 many had had enough and were to become increasingly critical of the new regime. Yet, the Rump relied almost entirely on the army for ‘hard power’ (to deal with unrest and suppress opposition). It needed the money to pay for the army to maintain its support, and so could not give up its taxes.

Question 6

civil war in ireland

problems faced by the Rump

Answer 6

Since the 1641 Irish Rebellion, Ireland had been in a devastating civil war, like the rest of the British Isles. By 1649, Irish Catholics had gained the upper hand and English authority over Ireland was limited.

Cromwell and the Rump decided that Ireland must be brought under control for two reasons. Firstly, Charles I had attempted to raise an army from Ireland during the Civil War and many feared Charles II would do the same. This posed a threat to the Rump in England.
Secondly, the Rump’s puritanical zeal meant they believed they were destined to rid the British Isles of Catholics.

In August 1649 Cromwell arrived in Ireland with 30,000 men. His campaign to defeat the Catholics was a harsh one. He wanted to win a quick victory to reimpose political authority. This, combined with his anti-Catholicism and desire for revenge for the reputed Catholic atrocities against Protestants during the Irish Revolt, resulted in brutality.

During Cromwell’s campaign he attacked town after town, and refused to provide ‘quarter’ [immunity from punishment in return for surrender] for any towns. In Drogheda and Wexford, Cromwell ordered the murder of civilians and soldiers when these towns refused to surrender. **Cromwell left Ireland in May 1650 to quell royalist uprisings in Scotland **(known as the Third Civil War), leaving his son-in-law, Henry Ireton, to complete the task of subduing the country. By the end of 1650, Parliamentary forces were in control of Ireland

Question 7

Divisions, due to the execution of Charles, within the Rump can be shown by two events.

probs faced by the Rump

Answer 7

Firstly, the creation of the Council of State (effectively a government with ministers responsible for different areas – like the former Privy Council). Members were chosen by annual elections. In the first vote in 1649, radicals like Ireton and Harrison were rejected in favour of conservatives who sought to reconcile divisions in the country.

Secondly, divisions can be seen in the debate and vote on the new constitution. It was only in May 1649 – and with a small group in favour – that the Rump voted by 44 to 29 in favour of creating a ‘Commonwealth’, ‘without any King or Lords’ (abolition of the House of Lords).

Consequently, these divisions in the Rump reduced the potential for it to act radically. Divisions also weakened the legitimacy of the new regime which became a major factor in its failure. It relied too much on the personality and political skills of Oliver Cromwell to keep the regime together, which his successor, Richard Cromwell, was unable to replicate.

Question 8

name of the constituition suggested by the levellers in 1647

Answer 8

the agreement of the people

Question 9

when was the agreement of the people

Answer 9

1647

Question 10

support

achievements of the commenwealth

Answer 10

Every man had to swear allegiance to the Commonwealth but this did not guarantee true loyalty

Question 11

reconciliation of royalists

achievements of the commenwealth

Answer 11

1651 Act of Oblivion pardoned Royalists for supporting Charles but there were many exceptions

Question 12

local gov reforms

achievements of the commenwealth

Answer 12

The hated county committees that had replaced the role of the Justices of the Peace were abolished but the Justices of the Peace could not be restored to their traditional roles without removing many of them, who were loyal monarchists, so there was still a lot of interference in local matters by central government.

Question 13

minor legal reforms - debtors

achievements of the commenwealth

Answer 13

Minor legal reforms relating to the treatment of debtors, abolition of the use of Latin and stylised handwriting in court cases, abolition of the legal privileges of MPs, transferred the power to grant probate of wills from the Church to the courts.

Question 14

minor religious reforms

achievements of the commenwealth

Answer 14

abolition of the legal requirement to attend Church once a week, improvements in the use of Church endowments, reorganisation of parishes and attempts to improve preaching.

Question 15

scotland and ireland

achievements of the commenwealth

Answer 15

The end of conflict in Scotland and Ireland, although the army took credit for this.

The unification of Scotland and England, although this was reversed at the Restoration

Question 16

when was the navigation act

achievements of the commenwealth

Answer 16

1651

Question 17

the navigation act

achievements of the commenwealth

Answer 17

The 1651 Navigation Act required that goods could only enter the country if they were carried on English ships or ships of the country of origin. This was primarily designed to give an advantage to English shipping against its main rivals, the Dutch. This protectionist policy sparked a growth in the ship-building industry in England and expanded English shipping.

Question 18

investment in the navy

achievements of the commenwealth

Answer 18

What made the Navigation Acts enforceable was the increased expenditure on the navy. The** navy patrolled English waters to protect English shipping and trade and enabled the collection of customs duties**. Furthermore, the navy had a role in foreign policy; in 1650 the navy destroyed Prince Rupert’s monarchist fleet in the Caribbean.

In 1652, the navy shattered a French fleet in the Channel. In 1651-2 Sir George Ayscue led a naval expedition to the New World to reimpose English authority over the pro-monarchist states of Virginia and Barbados.

Question 19

foreign policy

achievements of the commenwealth

Answer 19

In 1652, the Navigation Act sparked a naval conflict between the English and the Dutch. Initially, the Dutch were successful, but by 1653 the tide had turned against them. By the end of the conflict, the English had won the right to control the seas around English shores. Furthermore, the war was popular and gained the new regime much needed credibility.

Question 20

why was the rump dissolved

listed

Answer 20

1. religion
2. legal reform
3. a new constitution

Question 21

religion

why was the rump dissolved

Answer 21

The Rump sought to impose religious uniformity and restrict religious toleration. In 1650, Parliament introduced a Blasphemy Act which targeted dissenting religious groups. Parliament was promoting the policy of a national Presbyterian church, financed through a traditional tithe, while the army favoured religious toleration. The Rump had passed legislation for spreading the preaching of the gospel but in April 1653 allowed commissions, which were overseeing this process but were due for renewal, to lapse, preventing further progress on this aspect of the ‘godly reformation’. The army became frustrated with what it saw as timidity and obstructionism on religion.

Question 22

legal reform

why was the rump dissolved

Answer 22

In 1651, the Rump had set up a commission to investigate legal reform. The commission suggested simplifying legal proceedings and repealing out-of-date laws. However, these proposals were rejected by Parliament.* Many of the MPs were lawyers and the reforms threatened their monopoly over the practice of law and their fees*. The army saw this as evidence of MPs protecting their self-interests.

Question 23

a new constituition

why was the rump dissolved

Answer 23

One of the tasks of Parliament after the execution of Charles was to draw up a constitution for the new Republican system. Parliament had dragged its heels because it wanted to protect its privileges and refused to give into pressure from the army.
Eventually, by February 1653, a bill was ready and it was being debated by Parliament. By April 1653, it seemed the bill was on the brink of being passed but the** Army was concerned that the new constitution would keep the same self-interested MPs in power and would not bring about the ‘godly reformation’ the army wanted. Unfortunately, the historical record of the bill they were debating has not survived because Cromwell made off with it when he dissolved the Parliament. However, it seems the bill included provisions for increased representation of the counties, a narrowing in the eligibility to vote and either new elections for vacant Parliamentary seats (which had occurred due to the death of MPs. Remember that this Parliament had been sitting since November 1640), or elections to a new Parliament. Historians now think it was most likely the former, which would retain the same conservative MPs and risked electing royalists, or at least enemies of the army.
On 19 April, Cromwell and senior army officers met Oliver St. John and about 20 MPs to discuss the army’s proposals for Parliament to dissolve itself and hand over power to a provisional government of army officers and MPs to call elections for a new Parliament. At the end of the meeting, Cromwell thought the MPs had agreed to suspend discussions of the constitution bill until Parliament had discussed the proposals for a provisional government. However, the next day in Parliament the MPs continued to debate the bill, in the hope of pushing it through before the army could prevent it. Cromwell rushed to Parliament in his casual clothes, denounced the MPs and ordered a group of musketeers to eject the MPs from the House of Commons. **As with Pride’s Purge in 1648, it was clear that the army’s loyalty was key to the survival of any regime. **

Question 24

when was the barebones army

Answer 24

july 1653 - december 1653

Question 25

what was the barebones parli

Answer 25

A nominated assembly of 140 members, selected by Cromwell and the army. It had to be a nominated assembly because the* Long Parliament could not be dissolved without the consent of the members* due to the Triennial Act of 1641. Also, the assembly could not be elected as this risked returning the same sort of people Cromwell had just removed.

The** men selected tended to be of the ‘lower gentry’** meaning that they were not typical Parliamentarians

The name ‘Barebones Parliament’ stemmed from the derogatory label that the typical member was ‘Praise-God Barebone’ – a Puritanical radical London trader.

It met in the House of Commons Chamber and called itself a parliament, following many of the same procedures as the Long Parliament

Question 26

why was the barebones parli so short

Answer 26

It was** meant to be a temporary measure**, at least in Cromwell’s view, and that eventually there would be an elected Parliament. It was only supposed to last until November and then it would nominate its successor which would draft a new constitution and hold elections to a new Parliament by November 1655.

It was expected that having been appointed by the army and Cromwell, the Barebones Parliament would favour radical political and religious reform. Unfortunately, it was to be plagued by divisions between moderates and radicals.

Political divisions

Radicals proposed the complete overhaul of the legal system – reform of the courts and common law should be replaced with a simple written code. Moderates opposed these reforms on the grounds that they constituted a threat to private property, as most of common law relates to property rights.

Divisions over religion

The most pressing issue during this period was the** question of tithes**. Tithes were a small tax taken by the local parish church for its upkeep and the payment of ministers. Radicals opposed them because they were religious non-conformists and did not support a tax to maintain a centralised church organisation. Moderates supported the tithes and saw their abolition as an attack on the ownership of property, as the right to collect them often went with ownership of land. There were also differences over livings, the right of gentry to appoint Church ministers because they owned what had previously been Church land, and whether ministers should be paid with public money.

Paralysis over negotiation of a peace deal with the Dutch to end the Anglo-Dutch War (1652-4). The Nominated Assembly lacked experience of foreign policy and looked to Cromwell for leadership on the issue.

Question 27

when was cromwell lord protector

Answer 27

dec 1653 - sept 1658

Question 28

role of lord protector

under crom as lord protector

Answer 28

Head of Government and State (like a monarch)

Appointed for life

Successor chosen by the Council

Confer honours, appoint magistrates, pardon convicts

Annul any proposed measures that went against the principles of the Instrument

Share powers with the Council and Parliament

Veto over legislation [But only in the first 21 days of it passing Parliament]

Would always be provided with revenue for a 30,000 strong permanent army and a fleet.

Parliament would provide £200,000 per year to maintain civil government.

Question 29

role of council

under crom as lord protector

Answer 29

Advise the Lord Protector like a Privy Council

Composed of the Protector, seven army officers, eight civilians for life (could not be dismissed by the Protector)

Acted as a watchdog

Recruited its own members

Help to inform and guide the Protector in policy

Aided by a treasurer, Chancellor, Chief Justices, all chosen with Parliament’s approval

Question 30

role of parli

under crom as lord protector

Answer 30

Single elected chamber (No House of Lords)

Legislature (make laws)

Summoned every three years – sit for 5 months before it could be dissolved (by the Protector). Could be dissolved earlier with MPs consent

400 members for England and Wales, 30 each for Scotland and Ireland (460 in total). First truly UK Parliament.

Members had to be over 21 ‘of known integrity, fearing God’

County seats are proportional to the level of tax revenue (not people like today)

Property qualification of £200 to be able to vote

Catholics excluded from voting and being MPs

Control over taxation [but only in excess of the army needs and £200,000 noted above]

Question 31

cromwell’s personality

Answer 31

• emotional -
• belief in providentialism
• a militant protestant
• believed in liberty of conscience
• anti-catholic
• firmly believed in the ‘commonwealth’

Question 32

view that cromwell was motivated by a pursuit of power

Answer 32

1. He played a decisive role in the dissolution of the Rump Parliament
2. His opponents claimed he plotted the dissolution of the Barebones Parliament and his establishment as Protector
3. He was at pains to cultivate a leading role in the army and to keep the army on his side. He supported the army politically in events such as the army revolt. Yet he also ensured the army was obedient to him by crushing the attempted Leveller mutinies. Cromwell notoriously purged disobedient officers.
4. Leveller Richard Overton claimed that Cromwell was a man who disguised selfish ambition with pious principles

Question 33

view that Cromwell was motivated by a desire to ‘heal divisions’

Answer 33

Cromwell did not want power – indeed, **he rejected the position of Crown initially proposed in the Instrument of Government **

Cromwell was** not the mastermind behind key events that brought him to power. Indeed, he was often swept along in the tides of history. He was not involved in orchestrating the army revolt in 1647**, even if he supported it. He had no role in Pride’s Purge of Parliament which created the Rump in 1649. **Even in 1653, at the end of the Barebones Parliament, Cromwell did not appoint himself as Protector, but was appointed by others.
**
After becoming Protector, Cromwell acted upon his desire to heal divisions and broaden the social basis for the regime. He pursued a policy of ‘liberty of conscience’ which helped gain broad Anglican and Protestant support.

Question 34

how successful was cromwell as lord protector

church

Answer 34

Through 1654 Cromwell passed two Ordinances establishing a broad national church.

1. March 1654. The Commission for the Approbation of Ministers (Triers). This commission was charged with selecting religious ministers. The commissioners were drawn from a range of religious beliefs and* did not set strict religious boundaries, but looked merely at whether the ministers had led a good life* and had sufficient education.
2. August 1654. A commission to remove unsuitable ministers (Ejectors). This commission, again, did not set strict religious boundaries, but looked at issues of competence.

These established a broad church, broader than any since the Reformation

Question 35

lack of success under cromwell

dealing with parli

Answer 35

However, Cromwell was less successful in his dealings with Parliament. In July 1654, the First Protectorate Parliament was elected, this being the first new Parliamentary elections since 1640. The membership – Parliamentarians of royalist leanings, Presbyterians (who wanted a national Presbyterian church, as in Scotland), and former members of the Rump – made it a challenging body for Cromwell. The largest group was the unaligned country gentry who disliked the army and central government interference in local government. This group, in particular, questioned the authority of the Instrument of Government which acted as the new constitution and defined the limits of Parliament’s power. As a result, it spent much of its time rewriting the constitution trying to alter the balance of power between the Council and Parliament. In December 1654, it made proposals to limit religious liberties and reduce the size of the army, just as a pro-royalist uprising broke out in Scotland. In January, 1655 it was dissolved by Cromwell, before it had passed a bill or voted taxation. Cromwell returned to ruling by ordinance.

Question 36

when was the rule of the major generals

Answer 36

august 1655 - january 1657

Question 37

when was Penruddock’s Rising and what was it

Answer 37

In spring 1655, Penruddock’s Rising broke out in Wiltshire. This small royalist uprising was quickly crushed by the New Model Army.

However, Cromwell and the Council of State appear to have feared this was a sign of a broader pro-royalist discontent and sent a Major-General to the south west to keep the peace. Cromwell then **extended this system **to other areas of England, eventually creating Major-Generals in 11 different regions

Question 38

tasks of the major-generals following penruddock rising

Answer 38

To reduce disorder and increase loyalty to the regime. The major-generals did this by recruiting and co-ordinating local volunteer militias to effectively serve as a police force in a given area. This was cheaper than using the New Model Army and would reduce opposition by using local forces. It was funded by a 10% (Decimation) tax on royalist estates collected by the Major-Generals, which allowed general taxation to be reduced.

Check and monitor the activities of known royalists plotting against the regime.

The Major-Generals also intervened on issues relating to everyday life. In particular they encouraged local Justices of the Peace to enforce laws against drunkenness, blasphemy, swearing, and other sins. This was motivated by Cromwell’s desire to achieve a ‘reformation of manners’.

Question 39

what were the different views on the major generals

Answer 39

1. The Major-Generals were unpopular, and in some cases despised.
2. The Major-Generals were accepted and brought about positive effects.

Question 40

The Major-Generals were unpopular, and in some cases despised.

view on the major generals

Answer 40

The power of the Major-Generals to intervene in everyday life, particularly their ability to close down ale-houses, abolish horse-racing and prevent blood sports, presented the image that their sole goal was to spoil people’s fun. Lucy Hutchinson, wrote that the Major-Generals were ‘silly, mean fellows’. The Major-Generals were also resented because they undermined the influence the local nobility and gentry. In particular, Major-Generals compelled local nobles to pay their Poor Rates which provided for the poor in times of need. The autocratic imposition of Puritanical reforms to everyday life frustrated many. **The collection of a Decimation Tax reignited old Royalist/Parliamentarian divisions which failed to stabilise the nation politically. **

NB. Individual Major-Generals responded in different ways to the same challenges, and often this stemmed from differences in personality rather than political or religious leanings. For instance, William Goffe, Major-General of Sussex, was seen as timid and lacking in self-confidence. This made him unwilling to use all of the executive powers at his disposal. On the other hand, Major-General Worseley of the North-East had none of Goffe’s timidity. Worseley’s zeal led him to closing 200 alehouses. Nevertheless, both shared one thing in common: they were criticised by local men.

Question 41

The Major-Generals were accepted and brought about positive effects.

view on the major generals

Answer 41

Many of the men and women who were upset by the Major-Generals were part of the landed gentry. This group had the ability to write about their complaints and argue that their rule was unjust, since it was in their interest as a class. Other social classes, whose writing has not survived in historical records, actually benefitted. For instance, **the poor benefited from the pressure Major-Generals put on the rich to pay Poor Rates. **

The Major-Generals and the Decimation Tax allowed Cromwell to reduce the size of the New Model Amy. By reducing the size of the army, Cromwell was** able to reduce the taxation t**hat had previously supported it. Hence, £60,000 was taken off the monthly assessments.

The rule of the Major-Generals brought about a degree of social stability across the country that England had not seen since the 1630s. This allowed for improvements in local governance - road maintenance was improved, poor relief increased, and criminal laws were more effectively enforced.

Question 42

when was the second protectorate parli

Answer 42

sept 1656 - feb 1658

Question 43

why did cromwell recall parli in 1656

Answer 43

recalled Parliament in September 1656 because he needed money to fight the Anglo-Spanish War (1654–1660). The War was mainly fought in the Caribbean and was caused by commercial rivalries and religious differences. Initially, Cromwell’s Second Parliament was much more willing to work with him than his First Parliament. From September 1656 to the end of 1656, Cromwell and Parliament collaborated and managed to achieve some progress

Question 44

progress made with second protectorate parli between sept 1656 to end of 1656

Answer 44

Taxes were passed in support of the war.

The reformation in manners continued with laws passed to regulate alehouses and ‘undecent fashions’.

Yet, the collaborative relationship was short-lived

Question 45

what soured the relationship between crom and the 2nd protectorate parli

listed

Answer 45

1. Arguments over the Decimation Tax
2. religious liberties
3. the constitution
   Overall, Parliament’s complaints were about the militarised nature of the state – on each of the three issues above they sought to replace a military solution with a civilian one.

Question 46

args over teh decimation tax

what soured the relationship between crom and the 2nd protectorate parli

Answer 46

Cromwell had introduced the Decimation Tax (one-tenth of the wealth of royalist estates) to fund the Major-Generals. In January 1657 a bill attempted to make the tax permanent. However, Parliament voted down the proposed tax by 124 to 88. With the defeat of the bill, Cromwell allowed the system of the Major-Generals to wither away.

Question 47

religious liberties

what soured the relationship between crom and the 2nd protectorate parli

Answer 47

In January 1657, James Nayler, a Quaker radical and former soldier, undertook an evangelical tour of the West Country where he set about re-enacting a number of Biblical events, including Christ’ entry into Jerusalem on a donkey. After the event, Nayler was brought to Parliament and found guilty of ‘horrid blasphemy’ and sentenced to be branded, bored through the tongue, flogged twice and imprisoned for life.

While Cromwell was not supportive of Nayler’s actions – indeed Cromwell believed that inner piety was more important than outward worship – he was concerned by Parliament’s willingness to take steps against religious liberties. Cromwell’s religious philosophy of ‘liberty of conscience’ was part of the Instrument of Government. Hence, Cromwell was concerned by the implications of the harsh sentence.

Question 48

the constitution

what soured the relationship between crom and the 2nd protectorate parli

Answer 48

Parliamentarians once again raised questions about the nature of the Instrument of Government. Moderates worried about who would replace Cromwell upon his death – which was an increasingly pressing matter given his declining health. **They did not want another army figure. **There were also concerns about the composition of Parliament because over one hundred elected MPs had been barred by the Council from entering Parliament because of their views.

Question 49

when was the ‘humble petition and advice’

Answer 49

march to may 1657

Question 50

what was the ‘humble petition and advice’

Answer 50

The Humble Petition was the culmination of Parliament’s attempt to ‘civilianise’ the government. It essentially set out a new framework for a constitution.

Question 51

key points of the ‘humble petition and advice’

Answer 51

The executive would have greater powers (for instance to appoint ministers)

A second chamber of Parliament would be created and be composed of members who had been nominated by Cromwell

The ending of arbitrary exclusion from Parliament, except by the House of Commons members themselves

An acceptance of ‘liberty of conscience’ to allow for religious freedom

Question 52

cromwell’s view of the ‘humble petition and advice’

Answer 52

Cromwell, generally, liked much of the constitutional proposals. Yet, there was one major sticking point. The proposal could not be accepted in part – he had to accept all of the measures or none of them. In particular, the Petition proposed that Cromwell become king. Parliament included this provision to give the regime more respectability and to solve the problem of succession. They believed a Cromwellian dynasty had the potential to bring about greater stability than rule of Republican military men.

And yet, after two months of agonising, Cromwell refused the Crown. His delay suggested he seriously considered it and weighed up the pros and cons.

Question 53

why did cromwell refuse the crown

Answer 53

Cromwell feared that acceptance of the Crown would lose him the support of the army, on which his authority had consistently relied. Yet, Cromwell had outfaced factions within the army at other times in his career.

Cromwell believed that God’s interventions had condemned the title of kingship to history and that he would be going against the will of God to accept it. Throughout the Civil Wars, Cromwell had increasingly believed that his cause was the cause of God. To turn his back on this and accept kingship now would be an affront to God. **Yet, if this was the sole reason, why did it take Cromwell so long? **

Cromwell believed that acceptance of the crown would be interpreted as a sin of pride, ambition, and self-advancement by both the public and by God. The consequence of this could be fatal to his regime.

Cromwell could lose powers and it could destabilise the nation if he had to give up new constitutional powers to Parliament.

Question 54

what happened following Cromwell’s refusal of the crown

Answer 54

After Cromwell refused the Crown, he negotiated with Parliament to pass the Humble Petition with one change, that he remained Lord Protector rather than King. In June, he was reinstalled as Lord Protector.

Parliament returned in January 1658 with MPs that had previously been barred for their political views in the previous sitting of the Parliament. These MPs had largely pro-Republican feelings and were seen as de-stabilising radicals by Cromwell. One week in to the Parliament a petition was signed to re-establish the Republic and within two weeks of their first meeting **Cromwell decided to dissolve Parliament for the second time. **

Yet, Cromwell did retain the support of the army. And this was crucial because it coincided with another bout of royalist revolts in 1658.

Cromwell’s health, however, continued to decline and on 3 September he died. Cromwell had delayed nominating a successor until the morning of his death, when he finally nominated his son, Richard Cromwell.