Rump Parliament 1649-53 Flashcards
Overview the Rump’s situation
Rump Parliament faced Leveller, Irish, and Scottish opposition. Crushed Levellers, 1649, and then Irish, and Scots in 1650. By April 1653, Army had expected Radical reform which wasn’t achieved. Cromwell, accompanied by 20-30 musketeers, expelled Rump of Long Parl. Cromwell inspired by millenarians, and implemented scheme of Fifth Monarchist, Thomas Harrison, whose Monarchy would follow great empires, with Christ ruling on Earth for 1000 years until Day of Judgement. The army picked an assembly, but power was returned to Cromwell on 12 Dec 1653.
What happened when the expelled members returned to the Rump? What decisions did they make and how was government established?
February 1649 – 100 to 140 return to Parliament, outnumbering Rump. Rump had to be careful. Then decided to absolve House of Lords and make England part of the Commonwealth, before creating a council of state to replace privy council, which would be elected annually by Rump. With 41 members, first council had 34 MPs and 5 peers, 14 regicides. Only 19 took Engagement to swear faith to Commonwealth. Army wasn’t ruling council, busy defeating Commonwealth enemies. By 1650 the Rump paid army members arrears, but before then Fairfax and Cromwell had to shoot three mutineers in Oxfordshire.
What was the Leveller issue?
LEVELLERS: Feb 1649, John Lilburne writes England’s New Chains Discovered, and Richard Overton writes ‘the hunting of the foxes’ causing them all to go on trial. Lilburne is acquitted and the other three on trial made to swear to Oath of Engagement. While in tower, the four members issued third Agreement of the People. Rise of other left-wing groups such as True Levellers, Diggers, Quakers, and Fifth Monarchists.
What was the Irish issue?
1650
IRISH: Fear that Charles Stuart, second son of Charles I, would rise in Ireland, still in revolt. After 2 Aug Irish defeat in Rathmines by Rump-loyal group, 20,000 sent with Cromwell and Ireton to Ireland. 3000 killed at Drogheda, including 1000 civilians, and 2000 at Wexford. Some considered it an atrocity, others felt it necessary to end war.
What was the Scottish issue?
SCOTS: June 1650, Charles Stuart made King Charles II and went to Scotland. Cromwell sent over 15,000 before England invasion could happen, and on 3 Sept, Dunbar, 3000 Scots were killed compared to 20 English, despite 2:1 Scot advantage. Scots invaded but Cromwell defeated them at Worchester leading to Charles Stuart fleeing through south coast to Continent. Providence on Cromwell’s side.
What social reform and religious reform was passed?
The Rump Parliament passed several acts including: an Act for Better Observation of the Lord’s Day, Days of Thanksgiving and Humiliation, and an Act for Suppressing the Detestable Sins of Incest, Adultery, and Fornication. Blasphemy Act limited freedom of conscience. September 1649, Act for the Relief of Poor Debtors pardoned debtors from imprisonment owning less than £5, and Toleration Act of September 1650 meant Church weekly not obligatory as long as some service was attended. Nothing done about tithes/Presbyterian structure. Dec 1651, Rump sets commission under Sir Matthew Hale to discuss law reform.
What did the army complain of, and what were Rump weaknesses?
Army complained that Toleration Act gave with one hand, took with other, and though Hale Commission met until July 1652 3x a week, no recommendations implemented. Legislation fell from 125 in 1649 to 51 by 1652, and Rump showed no sign of dissolving despite an act committing to this by 3 November 1654. High taxation. From May 1652 had to fight Dutch and so army and navy needed to be maintained at costly levels to taxpayer. Dec 1652, monthly assessment raised from £90,000 to £120,000. Equivalent to 24 pre war subsidies.
How was war with the Dutch entered?
In 1651 United Provinces, Protestant group, recognised the Rump. Following this, Dutch dismissed union with Commonwealth. Navigation Act meant foreign ships could only enter ports if containing their own goods. Dutch ships contained largely Dutch goods. Clash on channels lead to wars. Second battles at Portland and Gabbard in 1653 won.
When was the Rump dissolved and what’s been argued of Cromwell?
20 April 1653 : Cromwell and 30 soldiers dissolved Rump Parliament. Cromwell conveniently wasn’t often involved with the actions of the army, but it appears with the Rump planning legislation to dissolve and have new elections, Cromwell saw the threat of Presbyterians returning, threatening the Godly cause. He acted like a tyrant. Conversely, it is argued he did what he did to act as a liberator, hoping the Rump would dissolve itself and then fresh elections could be overseen by MPs and army officers.
What’s the radical historian argument?
Historians used to argue ; those who supported Pride’s Purge were radicals, and the Rump was purged of Presbyterians. Underdown’s comparison of supporters and victims suggests supporters of the Purge were of a slightly lower class, but both groups were gentlemen. 22 of original 41 members of the 1649 Council of State didn’t take an oath approving regicide, showing a lack of revolutionary movement. Returned Parliament members angry at army.
