Interegnum and Restoration Flashcards
What was the Confederation of Kilkenny?
- A confederation administratively centred in the town of Kilkenny
- Created by Irish Catholics
- Created to secure order, as well as a favourable settlement for Ireland in the English Civil Wars
What was the Irish town in which Cromwell and his New Model Army committed his worst atrocities? How many died?
- Drogheda 1649
- 700–800 civilians killed (only 300 of which were Royalists)
In what 4 ways did Cromwell justify the sacking of Drogheda?
- He offered them a chance to surrender, so it was justified by the laws of war
- It was God’s will
- It was retribution for the Protestants massacred in Ireland in 1641
- Drogheda served as an example to all other Irishmen, in order to prevent further bloodshed
What were 2 of Cromwell’s worst massacres in Ireland?
- Drogheda
- Wexford
How many civilians were killed by Cromwell in Wexford? Why?
- 2000
- Because they were taking too long to negotiate surrender
- In panic, the Irish defenders sunk a ship containing Protestant prisoners, killing them all
How did Cromwell pay his troops during his conquest of Ireland?
- With Irish land
What were the terms of Cromwell’s 1652 Act of Settlement?
- Cromwell pays his soldiers and “adventurers” (English loaners for the campaign) with Irish land plots
- All Catholics 1 mile of the coast, or the river Shanon were to be killed if caught (100 000 Catholics liable to death by this)
- 400 000 Catholics disposessed of their lands
- No Catholics allowed in the provinces of Ulster, Leinster, or Munster
- All Catholics herded into the province of Connaught (rocky, unfarmable)
Where did Cromwell force all the Irish Catholics to settle in?
Connaught
In total, how many Irish people were killed in Cromwell’s campaign?
100-200 000
Why did many Scots support the Stuarts AFTER Charles Ists execution?
- Because, Charles II was also king of Ireland and Scotland
- So, what right did the ENGLISH parliament now have to kill the Scottish king?
When is Charles II named king of Scotland?
1651
At which battle did the infamous “Royal Oak” save Charles II after his army had been defeated by Cromwell?
Battle of Worcester, 1651
Why are army officers increasingly disgusted with lawyers in parliament?
- Because members of parliament are increasingly ignoring debt, wages, and reforms in the military
What was the Declaration of the Army to the Lord General Cromwell for the Dissolving of this Present Parliament?
- A demand from the army to Cromwell to dissolve the Rump Parliament
- Called for fresh elections, and the purging of unwanted men
When and how is the Rump Parliament dissolved?
- 1653
- Cromwell has to dissolve it at sword point
Why is the new parliament known as the “Barebones Parliament”?
- Because of one of it’s MPs, Praise-God Barebones, was a low born leather merchant
- He was the epitome of the kind of person who was typically elected in the Barebones Parliament, so they named it after him.
What was the Barebones Parliament composed of?
- Representatives from England, Ireland, Scotland
- ONLY composed of Godly men
- It is a huge flop
- Most members march out, and return full loyalty to Cromwell
How long did Barebones parliament last for?
5 months
Why was the Barebones Parliament important?
- Proved that saintliness was no substitute for politics
Where was the power held during the Rump Parliament period?
The Council of State (subordinate to the Rump)
True or False: The Rump Parliament had a House of Lords.
FALSE
Why was it called the “Rump” Parliament?
- Because it was seen as the remnant (or rump) of the old Long Parliament
What was England’s first ever written constitution?
The Instrument of Government, 1653
What are some of the most important terms of the Instrument of Government, 1653?
- Cromwell is Lord Protector of all three kingdoms (he could name a successor after death)
- Parliamentary elections every 3 years
- Parliament members had to have land worth a minimum of £200 (aka. you had to be rich to be in parliament now)(Conservative shift)
- individuality in religious congregations for all Protestant Dissenters
- Allowed Jews to return to England for the first time since Edward I
- Standing Army of 30 000
Who ruled based on the Instrument of Government constitution?
Cromwell AND the Council of State
When was Cromwell’s period of Martial Rule?
1655-1657
Describe Cromwell’s Martial Rule:
- England divided into 12 military districts
- Each district supervised by a major-general
- These generals spied on Royalists, Presbyterians, etc.
- They also enforced against drunkenness, Sunday sports, swearing, whoring, etc.)
- They even barred Christmas celebrations sometimes
What was the Humble Petition and Advice, 1657?
- Main purpose was to make Cromwell King
- Created an “Upper House” (euphemism for House of Lords)
- Reduced the right to vote of Parliament
True or False: Cromwell allowed his daughters to be called princess.
TRUE
True or False: Cromwell even wore a purple robe with ermine.
TRUE
What did Cromwell name his council?
The Privy Council
True or False: Cromwell increased the number of Knights of the Realm.
TRUE
Why wasn’t Cromwell’s real body publicly laid out for funeral services?
The morticians botched the preservation, and Cromwell’s body had begun to decompose
Who was Oliver Cromwell’s successor?
His son, Richard Cromwell
True or False: Richard Cromwell had plenty of political experience.
FALSE
He had NONE
Why did Richard Cromwell lose control of his power?
- Inherited debt
- Economic depression
- His indifference to rule gave the Army and Parliament far more power
After exiling Richard Cromwell, what did the Army revive?
They revived the Rump Parliament
True or False: Richard Cromwell was officially deposed.
FALSE
Not officially, but basically was, since the army exiled him to France.
When is Charles II officially restored?
14 May 1660
What are the 3 lessons learned from the interregnum?
- We need 2 ruling institutions: King AND Government
- Puritans cannot be trusted; labelled as King Killers
- Elites and the Common people CANNOT work together; they have opposing interests; let’s keep a ruling elite class
What were the 3 pledges of the Declaration of Breda in 1660?
- Amnesty to civil war participants
- Freedom of religion (unclear what he meant by this)
- Recognition of land sales since 1642 (aka, even land stolen from Charles I was to remain in the current owner’s hands)
Which parliament establishes the terms for restoration in 1660?
The Convention Parliament