The Commonwealth
Cards (8)
- February 1649 Council of State established the government of England was to reside in the Parliament
- The regicide removed Charles I and monarchy and House of Lords were abolished as institutions
- May 1649 England was formally declared a Commonwealth
- Council of State was a conservative body with 41 members of which 34 MP’s
- Influential army officers excluded eg Ireton and Harrison
- In January 1650 it introduced the Engagement Act by which all adult males had declare loyalty to the Commonwealth
- In July 1650 a treason Act was introduced to punish all those who denied the authority of the regime.
- Both Acts proved unenforceable.