Rump Parliament to Barebones Flashcards
When did expelled MPs return?
Feb 1649 - 100-140 expelled MPs return to Rump outnumbering radicals. Council of state replaced privy council with 41 members, 14 of who were regicides. 19 refused to take Engagement committing to the Commonwealth.
What actions were conducted in Ireland?
Fears Charles Stuart would rise in Ireland. 2 Aug 1650 Irish defeated by Rump loyal group at Rathmines. 20,000 went with Cromwell and Ireton to Ireland. 3000 killed at Drogheda including 1000 civilians and 2000 killed at Wexford
What actions were conducted in Scotland?
Scotland, June 1650 Charles Stuart made King Charles II in Scotland. Cromwell sent 15,000 to Scotland. 3 Sept at Dunbar 3000 Scots killed compared to 20 English despite the 2:1 advantage. Scots invaded England and there was defeat at Worchester. Charles II fled.
What legislation passed?
Sept 1649 Act for the Relief of Poor Debtors pardoned those owning
What complaints were made about the Rump?
Hale Commission met 3x a week until July 1652 but no recommendations were implemented. In 1649 125 pieces of legislation passed falling to 51 by 1652. Rump showed no sign of dissolving. From May 1652 at war with Dutch, from Dec 1652 monthly assessment reached £120,000, 24 subsidies.
How did Rump end?
1652 Dutch refused union with Commonwealth so Navigation Act was passed refusing foreign ships unless they contained own goods hurting the Dutch. English won battles at Gabbard and Portland. 20 April 1652 Cromwell and 30 soldiers dissolve Rump. Had been planning elections and Cromwell feared return of Presbyterians.
When was Barebones set? for what purpose? how was it composed?
Barebones held from July to December in 1653. Was supposed to be godly but temporary, not permanent Sanhedrin style body Harrison wanted. 15 Independents, gentry, tradesmen, and 13 Fifth Monarchists made up the Rump. Cromwell opened with Parliament of Saints speech on 4th July.
What discussion was there around purpose of Barebones? When was it set?
John Lambert wanted an army-led council but MG Harrison wanted a godly assembly of 70 inspired by Jewish Sanhedrin. On 29 April Council of State set with 7 military men, 3 civilians, and nominated assembly of 140 with Scottish and Irish representatives. 4 July 1653 Cromwell made Speech of God’s calling. Hoped Barebones would inspire people not to vote presbyterian but no reform made.
What reform was made by Barebones and how did it end?
Useful reform included performing civil marriages by JPs, having births, marriages, and deaths registered, protection for lunatics and relief of debters, sterner measures against thieves, 10 Dec 1653 radicals overturn decision to retain tithes so on 12 Dec moderates vote to return powers to Cromwell.
Who were key Leveller members and how did the movement come to be?
Levellers: key members were John Lilburne, Richard Overton, and William Walwyn. Wanted abolition of property rights, equal wealth, reform of law, religious toleration, and free trade. Leveller movement really started when Walwyn wrote a letter to Lilburne after being imprisoned for criticising MPs living in comfort while soldiers died, Oct 1645.
What was a Remonstrance of Many Thousand Citizens?
A Remonstrance of Many Thousand Citizens: July 1646 issued by Walwyn and Overton calling for dissolution of Commons, abolition of House of Lords, religious toleration, equality in law, end of trade monopolies.
How did Levellers become involved with Agreement of People and between what months was their newspaper active? Who disliked the Leveller name?
Agreement of the People developed several versions during 1647-9 as a potential written constitution for England to bring contract between people and government, completed by Lilburne, Overton, and Walwyn. The Moderate newspaper ran from July 1648 to October 1649 when it was suppressed, coordinating support, and Levellers had regular meeting. Lilburne disliked the ‘Leveller’ name which discredited the movement. True Levellers were associated with movement, they wanted to challenge land ownership and property rights.
What was the Solemn Engagement of the Army? What was the Case of the Army Truly Stated?
In June 1647 the military Levellers adopted A Solemn Engagement of the Army and set up the Army Council where representatives of rank and file sat alongside senior officers. The Case of the Army Truly Stated was set by Levellers and called for new constitution for England. By the Putney debates grandees were determined to purge Levellers from the army.
How did Leveller movement die out?
After Second Civil War the Levellers clashed with the newly-elected Council of State. Lilburne, Overton, and Walwyn were imprisoned in March 1649 for writing England’s New Chains Discovered which criticised government for seizing power from people. April and May 1649 saw Leveller mutinies as they opposed invasion of Ireland. Fairfax and Cromwell surpressed these and Leveller influence faded fast.
