Rule Of The Protectorate 1649-1660 Flashcards
What is the rump and when did it assemble after the execution of Charles I?
Rump — the remaining MPs left of parliament
Assembled 4th January 1649
What two things were abolished in March 1649? And why was this significant?
The monarchy and the House of Lords, the hierarchy in government had been abolished
When was England declared a commonwealth?
May 1649
When was The Hale commission set up and how did it cause the rump to fail?
Set up in 1651 to investigate reform of the legal system
They met regularly for a year but recommendations were never adopted, proposed reforms involved complex areas of law that could not be agreed upon
Rump - expected to introduce radical change, lack of reform prevented stability
How did threats cause the rump to fail?
- Army suppressed threat by the levellers in particularly the mutiny at Burford in May 1649, several of their leaders were shot
- Showed that Rump did not have full support of wider society, did not have enough influence to establish an effective government
How did money cause the rump to fail?
- High taxation was not stopped under the rump, to pay for large army high taxation continued which caused resentment
In what year did Cromwell dissolve the rump? & why did he do this?
March 1653
He was tired of waiting for the rump to enact reforms, they were not acting quick enough in his view
What was set up after the rump was dissolved? When was this?
-The nominated assembly
- Cromwell formed a committee of four generals, which asked independent churches to nominate members for a new parliament
What reforms were introduced by the nominated assembly?
1) war with the Dutch was continued in order to secure trade routes
2) legal measures to help debtors were introduced
3) civil marriage was allowed, officiated by JP’s
4) Regulations concerning the treatment of lunatics was introduced
What issues did the NA face?
- Majority of its members were lesser gentry, conservative by nature and had no interest in godly reforms
- NA included fifth monarchists who favoured more radical schemes
- Radical ‘saints’ felt they could not work with the ‘sinners’ of the conservative gentry and the propertied members were unhappy at the suggestion that the Assembly abolish tithe which were often key to their financial wellbeing
- conflicts
When and why was the NA dissolved?
December 1653, moderate members met and voted to dissolve the assembly, scared by the radicals
After the NA was dissolved, what was produced?
The instrument of government issued in December 1653, offering an entirely new constitution, formalised in a Protectorate with government by a single person in Oliver Cromwell
What did the instrument of government state about religion?
There would be a state church but freedom of worship was granted for all except catholics and supporters of bishops
When was the 1st protectorate parliament? What was its membership? and what reforms did it introduce?
1654-55
Lord protectorate would be supported by a council of state and single chamber of Parliament with 460 members - Parliament were to be elected every 3 years
84 Ordinances were issued
- Bear baiting and cock fighting was banned
- Improved postal services and made allowances for the improvement of roads
- laws passed to prohibit blasphemy and drunkenness
When was the 1st protectorate parliament dissolved and why?
1654-55
Lord protectorate would be supported by a council of state and single chamber of Parliament with 460 members - Parliament were to be elected every 3 years
84 Ordinances were issued
- Bear baiting and cock fighting was banned
- Improved postal services and made allowances for the improvement of roads
- laws passed to prohibit blasphemy and drunkenness
What happened in 1655 and how did it lead to the rule of the major generals?
A royalist uprising led by John Penruddock broke out in Wiltshire, easily defeated to Cromwell it showed that greater control of the provinces was needed, he imposed centralised military rule over the entire country
When was the major generals? Who was it made up of?
- divided country into 11 districts, each district was under the control of a major general responsible for local government
What reforms were introduced by the major general?
- Lancashire; major geberal worsley closed down 200 alehouses
- Lincholnshire; major general Whaley; suppressed traditional entertainments such as stage plays and horse riding
Why were the major generals unsuccessful?
Many neglected their duties
What new constitutional document was issued in 1657?
The Humble petition & advice
- Government by a king (changed to Lord protector when Cromwell refused the crown)
- The Lords & commons to govern with the protector
- Provision for hereditary succession
- Regular elections and limited religious toleration
When was the second protectorate parliament?
1656-1658
When did Cromwell die?
September 1658
Who succeeded Cromwell?
His son, Richard
How long did Richard rule for and why did he have to resign?
Ruled until the end of 1659, resigned as he was deemed unacceptable to the council of officers
What did general monk do and why?
He marched his forces into London to restore a free parliament, restoration of Stuart monarch
