Richard Cromwell

• 1. Richard Cromwell succeeded his father as Lord Protector in 1658, inheriting a government that lacked strong military backing but had broader civilian support than his father’s regime.
• 2. While Richard's moderate, traditional governance style appealed to conservative elements, his lack of influence over the army ultimately weakened his position.
• 3. The army, led by Fleetwood and Desborough, resented Richard's reliance on civilian advisers and his failure to address their financial grievances, particularly the arrears in army pay.
• 4. Richard’s attempts to reconcile with both the army and parliament failed, leading to a military coup in April 1659, forcing him to dissolve parliament and lose control of the government.
• 5. The army's actions led to the collapse of the Protectorate and the reinstatement of the Rump Parliament, paving the way for the eventual restoration of the monarchy.