Rump Parl Flashcards
What threat did the Irish present? How did Cromwell respond?
The Earl of Ormonde persuaded the Protestant royalists in the South to join with Catholics against the English Parliament. In March 1649 Cromwell was made Lord Lieutenant by Rump to crush Irish continued rebellion.In August 1649 Cromwell arrived with 12,000 men. Had better artillery and disciplined troops alongside control of Irish Sea for regular supply. Cromwell attacked Drogheda when he heard of potential alliance of the Irish forces. In September 1649 Drogheda was attacked, followed by Wexford in October.
What were consequences in Ireland of the massacre at Wexford and Drogheda?
In both strongholds civilians remained. Occupants refused to surrender for quarter so Cromwell and his forces killed all resisting. 2000 died at Wexford. Cromwell did insist on respecting the person and property of civilians, however he still felt the massacre was a fitting punishment for the Anti-Christ. By May 1650 he left and Ireton was given command of English forces. Royalist land was confiscated and given to Protestant settlers and as arrears to soldiers. By 1660 Catholic land ownership was 20%.
Outline how Charles II formed alliance in Scotland and how he was defeated at Dunbar.
Charles II in Scotland had to overcome religious divides. In June 1650 however he swore to Covenant and would form alliance with the Covenant leader, Marquess of Argyll. Cromwell was directed to deal with Scottish danger. His forces brutally defeated the Scots at Dunbar, September 1650, and Covenanters were dispirited. In 1651 he left Scotland under subjugation of George Monck and John Lambert.
What pushed Charles II to exile?
Charles II marched with 12,000 into England and hoped his presence would provoke royalist uprising. At Worchester on 3 Sept 1651 he was defeated and exiled. Scottish Parl was dissolved, Presbyterian Church power reduced, and Scots required to pay upkeep of army.
What religious reform did the Rump pass?
Rump divided by religion with a 50-50 Presbyterian-Independent split. Presbyterians wanted central state controlled Church while Independents wanted congregations to pursue own worship. In Aug 1649 Presbyterian Church establishment was very narrowly defeated. Most wanted godliness as opposed to liberty of conscience and in Aug 1650 Act against Blasphemy passed to curb sectarians with adultery, fornication, and profanity.
What act was passed for debtors and what increased flexibility in Church? What limited the Rump?
Sept 1649 Act for Relief of Poor Debtors pardoned debtors owning less than £5 from imprisonment.
Sept 1650 Toleration Act meant weekly Sunday worship in Anglican Church no longer compulsory as long as some form of Church attendance. Nothing done regarding tithes and no final agreement on how suitability of clerics was to be judged despite establishment of the Committee for the Propagation of Gospel.
Why was legal process limited?
Legal process was to preserve privileged, highly expensive, slow in operation and in hands of lawyers. More lenient methods given for debtors and English issued to courts, but as 50/211 MPs were of legal profession and most attending Parl daily were lawyers little was done. Merchant traders resisted reform and passed Navigation Act of 1651 which meant foreign imports had to be carried in British vessels or their own.
What were consequences of the Navigation Act?
The Navigation Act led to the Dutch War in May 1652 as the Dutch provided imports from foreign countries on their ships. This led to naval engagements in the Channel and North Sea and the Dutch were made to make peace on English terms. This harmed financial activity of the Rump Parl but revenue could still be raised through tax, assessment, excise levies at ports, sale of Crown lands, and confiscated royalist estate.
Why was the Rump seen as incompetent?
Hale Commission was set in Dec 1651 to issue reform and met 3x a week until July 1652 but didn’t implement recommendations. Legislation fell from 125 in 1649 to 51 by 1652. Rump showed no commitment to dissolve despite an act for this on 3/11/1654 and from May 1652 Dutch were fought and assessment hit £120,000 by Dec 1652. Rump was stable but was so preoccupied with war that it couldn’t financially reform or offer much social aid.
How was Rump dissolved?
Republicans led by Lambert and Fifth Monarchists led by Harrison called for Rump’s end. In April 1653 the Rump Parliament pushed back dissolution a year and on 20 April Cromwell was provoked into arriving with musketeers and forcing its dissolution. Cromwell felt they wanted to stay in power. However, before dissolution he had kept his army in check as despite religious radicalism he was conservative in nature and wanted Rump’s success.
