Royalist resistance and the major generals Flashcards
Why were the royalists unable to provide strong resistance?
Their figurehead was in exile, few people actively supported royalism and there were heavy fines imposed upon any known to be royalists, making it even harder for them to serve as effective opposition.
What was the sealed knot?
The organization which was meant to coordinate royalist resistance, it spent most of the period discouraging uprisings as it didn’t want to discredit the cause.
Describe penruddock’s rising
John Penruddock’s royalist rising in Wiltshire in march 1655, aimed to seize Salisbury with 300 men, after only 2 days his men were scattered and defeated.
Give three reasons why the rising failed
- Very little support for it nationally or locally. 2. The quality of intelligence upon which the government could rely because of its developed espionage system. 3. The speed at which Cromwell’s government moved to put it down.
What was key to the survival of the commonwealth and the protectorate?
The loyalty of the army, Cromwell had endeared himself to his men and they remained loyal to him throughout his rule.
What was the background to the establishment of the major generals?
1655 was seen as a dangerous year with penruddock’s rising, Republican opposition and the threats of leveler risings. Cromwell thus looked to army commanders to ensure military security and administrative efficiency.
How was the major general system organized?
In summer 1655 England was divided into 11 area, each with its own major general to exercise military control and oversee local government.
What was the decimation tax?
A 10% tax on known royalists that was used to finance the major generals.
Why were the major general unpopular with the gentry?
They interfered with local life and tried to impose moral behavior. The gentry resented them as they were often of lower social standings then they were.
Why else were the generals unpopular?
They were rarely local to the area they controlled which gave people the feeling of being subject to outside rule.
How limited was the power of the major generals?
Institutions largely continued to function in the same way. In any case, Cromwell had no wish to undermine the authority of community leaders.
What showed the unpopularity of the system?
Parliamentary elections in summer 1656 had slogans such as “no swordsmen, no decimators.”
What did Cromwell claim to parliament in September 1656?
That the major generals had effectively discountenanced vice and settled religion.
Did the major generals ease the financial issues?
No, the administrative and military costs of the protectorate were high and in 1655 expenditure was £2,600,000 whilst income was £2,250,000.
What happened to the major generals?
In the second protectorate parliament in January 1657, john desborough’s militia bill was voted down, as this was what was used to fund the system, it collapsed quietly.
