OC 1653-1660

• Nominated Assembly (The Barebones Parliament) 1653


  After dissolving the Rump, Cromwell formed a committee of 4 generals who asked the Independent Churches to nominate new members for a Parliament known as the Nominated Assembly. Some reforms were made

  • War was continued
  • Legal measures to help debtors were introduced
  • Regulations concerning lunatics was introduced
  • Civil marriage was allowed.
• This Barebones Parliament did include several 5th Monarchists who were unhappy working with the "sinners" of the conservative gentry. Propertied gentry were concerned about the abolishment of tithes which were key to their financial wellbeing
• Why did the Barebones Parliament fail? (July to December 1653)

  The combination of internal divisions, radical proposals, lack of legitimacy, inexperience, and dissatisfaction from both Cromwell and the army led to the failure of the Barebone's Parliament. In December 1653, facing mounting pressures and recognizing the assembly's inability to govern effectively, Cromwell dissolved it and established the Protectorate, with himself as Lord Protector.
• The First Protectorate Parliament, 1654-55


  The Instrument of Government served as the constitutional basis for Cromwell's power and stated that the Lord Protector would be supported by a Council of State and a single-chamber Parliament. Parliament should be elected every three years and Cromwell would have control of the NMA. There would be a state church, with freedom of worship for all but Catholics
• There was initial success for this First Protectorate. 84 ordinances were called, many of which focused on the social side of life and moral uprightness. BUT Cromwell faced the same fundamental concerns as the Rump, compounded by his concern for the Army and those leading it. He also faced bitter resentment from Republican MPs whom he had excluded from power after the dissolution of the Rump. When they succeeded in destabilising power by refusing to recognise the Instrument of Government, Cromwell dissolved it in January of 1655
• The rule of the Major Generals (1655-56)


  A royalist uprising in 1655 showed that greater control was needed. So the country was split up into 11 districts, each under the command of a major-general. They would be responsible for everything especially a "reformation of manners" across the social spectrum. Effectiveness was mixed, in Lancashire, 200 alehouses were closed down and in Lincolnshire, traditional entertainment such as horse-racing and plays were shut down. Some were not as vigorous.
• Meanwhile, Cromwell had set up the Commissions of Triers and Ejectors to supervise the running of the Church, with an emphasis on preaching and flexibility of belief. In 1657, he was offered the Crown by a Parliament elected on quite a wide franchise. Major-Generals, while efficient, were very unpopular so the Second Protectorate Parliament was formed (1656-57)
• The Second Protectorate Parliament (1656-58) was set up
• Humble Petition and Advice (1657)

  Presented to Cromwell, by the Second Protectorate Parliament

  • Government by a King (changed to Lord Protector when Cromwell refused the Crown)
  • The Lord and Commons to govern with the Lord Protector
  • Provision for a hereditary succession
  • Parliament to control Army and officers of the state to be approved by Parliament

  Regular elections and limited religious toleration
• The Humble Petition was liked by royalists as it showed there was potential for a Stuart Restoration but if Cromwell was declared King, he would face severe backlash. Cromwell agonised over whether to accept it or not. But the opposition of the Army to it and of those closest to him lead to him rejecting it. Cromwell died in September 1658
• Cromwell was succeeded by Richard who summoned the Third Protectorate in January 1659. He was a civilian and was neither respected by the Army or Parliament, unlike his father who had his feet in both camps. Richard resigned later in 1659 and they recalled the Rump who seemed to have learnt nothing from their past failures
• With a ruling minority disappearing, Monck decided to act when he realised Richard would not be an effective leader. He marched his forces into London to restore a free Parliament, on the understanding that the ultimate outcome would be a Stuart Restoration