Protectorate

When

1653 - 1659

Instrument of Government 1653

Written by john lambert, Lord Protectorate executive and legislative, representatives from all UK, widened franchise ppl property £200+, minimum term 5 months, called every 3 years, council of state 1/3 military, Parliament could push law without Cromwell, not legitimate

Decimation tax

Collected by major generals, 10% tax on delinquents and royalists to fund local militia

Penruddock’s Uprising 1655

300 men and Penruddock hate rule of major generals and capture Chester, hoped to gain local support and spark wider rebellion, quickly suppressed by NMA, arrested, trialed and executed, sealed knot did not give support, protectorate spy network

Royalists

Sealed Knot, maintained royalist cause but largely ineffective, divided, focused on creating discontent with propaganda and kept in contact with Charles, protectorate spy network, people liked Cromwell, NMA too strong

Foreign Policy

Strong navy, 2 Anglo Dutch wars, gain international recognition, western design fail but capture Jamaica, suppressed Irish rebellion, atrocities in Ireland and Scotland, poor relations with Spain, allied with France and given Dunkirk 1657

Major Generals 1655

Failure of parliament, England divided into 11, general assigned to each, decimation tax, uphold law and religion, represent central authority, close sinful places

Failure of Major Generals

Unpopular, interfered with local administration (JPs), enforced moral reform, gentry did not respect low birth, lack authority, military dictatorship

Religious sect types

Quackery’s, Fifth monarchists, seekers and rangers, baptists (anabaptists)

James Naylor Case 1656

Religious tolerance and relations with quakers created fear in parliament, Naylor reenacted Jesus’ entry and was arrested for blasphemy, pilloried, whipped 310, branded, flogged, imprisoned, hot iron tongue

James Naylor impact

Worsened persecution and propaganda against Quakers by administration, Cromwell angry worsened relations, Parliament undermine Cromwell and constitution (should not be punished for belief)

Religious polices

Liberty of conscious, tolerant to Protestants, Jews readmitted since 1210, increased censorship, moral reform, Jews worship privately, Jews readmitted for economic, triers and ejectors chose ministers

Military

Army debts paid, given greater political power (major generals, 7 council of state),petitioned against humble petition, 30,000 standing army, Cromwells authority based in military, less division

Economic

400k deficit, high taxation, assessment, exercise, decimation tax, ban monopolies, navigation acts, expensive standing army and navy, reduced tax after Anglo Dutch war

First Protectorate Parliament 1654

Refused 84 bills, divided, focused on rewriting constitution, did not address current issues, 5 months, disagree with Cromwell, deadlock

Second Protectorate Parliament 1656-58

Slightly more complaint, still disagreed with Cromwell (James Naylor), offer humble petition and advice

Humble petition and advice 1656

Alternative constitution by cromwellians, more legitimate, make Cromwell king (privy council, finance), restrain his power, considered 6 weeks, rejected April, army petition against, new constitution may, Cromwell decides heir and restores upper house