The Commonwealth

Question 1

When did the Rump abolish the monarchy?

Answer 1

17th March 1649

Question 2

What happened to the MPs excluded in Pride’s Purge in February 1649?

Answer 2

They were invited to return

Question 3

What act did the Rump pass on the 19th of March 1649?

Answer 3

Abolition of the House of Lords

Question 4

What percentage of Herefordshire’s committee members were ousted by refusal to subscribe to the Engagement?

Answer 4

40%

Question 5

Who proposed legal reforms which were rejected in February 1653 by the Rump?

Answer 5

Hale Commission

Question 6

Who described the Rump as “this fag end, this veritable Rump of a parliament with corrupt maggots in it”?

Answer 6

Clement Walker, an MP excluded by Pride

Question 7

Cromwell regarded slaughter at Drogheda as “a righteous judgement of God upon….

Answer 7

“….these barbarous wretches who have imbrued their hands in so much innocent blood”

Question 8

How many did Cromwell order to be killed at Drogheda?

Answer 8

3000

Question 9

What percentage of the Drogheda deaths were civilian?

Answer 9

1/3 (1000)

Question 10

How many killed at Wexford?

Answer 10

2000

Question 11

Why are Cromwell’s actions in Ireland so controversial?

Answer 11

Because he exceeded the rules of war, and some believe he justified his actions because of his image of the Irish as sub-human

Question 12

How many troops did Cromwell and Ireton take to Ireland in 1649?

Answer 12

20,000

Question 13

When was the Battle of Dunbar?

Answer 13

3rd September 1650

Question 14

When was the Battle of Worcester?

Answer 14

3rd September 1651

Question 15

How much was Cromwell’s army outnumbered at Dunbar?

Answer 15

Two to one

Question 16

What was the ratio of deaths at Dunbar?

Answer 16

3000 Scots to just 20 English killed

Question 17

What deal was struck between Charles (II) and the Scots in 1649?

Answer 17

Charles agreed implementation of a full Presbyterian church in England in return for an army with which he could invade England

Question 18

Where did Charles (II) hide on his escape to the continent in the aftermath of Worcester?

Answer 18

An Oak Tree

Question 19

What did Cromwell say to the MPs at the dissolution of the Rump in April 1653?

Answer 19

“Depart I say, and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!”

Question 20

What did Dorothy Osborne observe about Cromwell’s dissolution of the Rump in April 1653 in private correspondence?

Answer 20

It is “as great a breach of the privilege of Parliament as the demanding of the 5 members”

Question 21

Why are we unclear on Cromwell’s motivation for dissolving the Rump in April 1653?

Answer 21

The Bill being discussed by Parliament at the time was destroyed