The restored commonwealth May-December 1659

Question 1

What did the rump do when it reformed in may 1649?

Answer 1

Proceeded to act as if the last 6 years hadn’t taken place, it demanded that the army obey its every order.

Question 2

Why was the reformed rump so unpopular?

Answer 2

Many felt it was too radical as it had tried to curb the influence of the army by putting local militia in the hands of extreme sectarians.

Question 3

What were the consequences about rumors over radicalism?

Answer 3

National panic ensued, with talk of the church and state being under threat, Presbyterian risings took place, but were swiftly crushed.

Question 4

What took place in august 1659?

Answer 4

Booth’s royalist rising in Cheshire, Booth called for a free parliament and anti-rump views, the rising held for a number of weeks but surrendered when they realized no Spanish aid was arriving.

Question 5

Give three reasons why the radicals couldn’t establish a hold on England

Answer 5

1. They were too ill defined as a group. 2. There were divisions between sects and republicans. 3. No settlement could satisfy the wide range of policial and religious opinions on top of satisfying the army.

Question 6

Which army leader became very popular during this time?

Answer 6

John lambert, he was responsible for crushing Booth’s rising. He gave his support to a petition calling for a reduction of the powers of the rump and creation of an upper house.

Question 7

What happened owing to the petition?

Answer 7

Haselrig demanded that the petitioners be arrested, he hoped that there were enough troops loyal to the protectorate to prevent an army coup, he was wrong and in October, lambert came to London and dispersed the rump.

Question 8

What did lambert do?

Answer 8

Set up a committee of safety in a bid to cloak the reality of army rule, it would act as an interim government.

Question 9

What was Monck’s role at this period?

Answer 9

He opposed the dissolution of the rump, he marched into England in protest and quickly defeated lambert’s forces.

Question 10

Describe what happened October-December 1659

Answer 10

There were widespread disturbances acids the country, Bristol, London and Portsmouth all declared against the government. The committee was taken aback by the level of discontent.

Question 11

What sorts of petitions were sent to the committee and Monck?

Answer 11

They spoke of the tyranny of army rule, the grim economic circumstances and the need for the restoration of ancient liberties.

Question 12

What happened in December?

Answer 12

With London turning against them and the chance of another civil war, Fleetwood and the army officers bowed to opposition and reinstated the rump.

Question 13

What did the rump do once it had been reinstated?

Answer 13

Invited Monck to be commander in chief and dismissed Fleetwood and lambert.

Question 14

Describe the mistakes the rump then made

Answer 14

They did not tackle pressing issues, instead turned to settling old scores like purging the army. It then tried to limit the power of Monck by putting him in charge of policing London.

Question 15

How did Monck outmaneuver the rump?

Answer 15

He refused to withdraw from politics and demanded that the house readmit the members who had been dismissed during pride’s purge.

Question 16

Give two major consequences of the readmission of the excluded members

Answer 16

1. It tilted the balance against Haselrig’s republicans. 2. The members represented a direct constitutional link to pre 1642, this showed pride’s purge and the rump to be illegitimate and made restoration more likely.

Question 17

How did Monck present himself?

Answer 17

As a tolerant moderate, he was careful not to speak directly of a restoration at this point despite having entered into correspondence with Charles in July 1659.

Question 18

What did lambert do?

Answer 18

He made a last ditch attempt to save the Republic, but was defeated by Monck’s forces at Edgehill as the bulk of the army had not supported him.

Question 19

Describe what happened during the convention parliament

Answer 19

They met April-may 1660 and were mainly royalists, the House of Lords reconvened and they discussed the terms of the restoration under the declaration of Breda.

Question 20

What did Charles now have to do?

Answer 20

Wait and do nothing, this carried the impression that he was not seeking to impose himself upon the country and was prepared to wait.

Question 21

Describe the declaration of Breda

Answer 21

Charles’ document which was presented to the convention Parliament 4th April, it promised religious toleration, a general pardon and accepted the right of parliament in terms of property entitlements and the army’s arrears.

Question 22

What happened next?

Answer 22

Both houses voted to accept the decision, 8th may saw England declared to no longer be a republic, 14th may saw Charles invited back to England and he made his ceremonial entry to London’s 29th may.

Question 23

How did people feel about the restoration?

Answer 23

Many jubilantly celebrated, but this was more down to thankfulness over the avoidance of war and the hoped for return to stability. Some despaired and mourned the loss of the republic.

Question 24

What did many people want to do after the restoration?

Answer 24

Regard the interregnum as an unhappy memory and simply forget about it, this was impossible as too much had happened during it for it simply to be dismissed.

Question 25

Give the main reason why the republic failed

Answer 25

It’s failure to resolve the difficulties and contradictions that had existed since its inception and became more pronounced after Cromwell’s death.