Cromwell in power

What was he like?

Prepared to tolerate Protestants, other religions and some moderate Catholics.

Made him a radical (more of a religious one).

A tolerant man in intolerant times.

Effects of military victory on Cromwell/Army

• Victories at Dunbar September 1650, Worcester September 1651 had a radicalising effect.

• Military threats to regime pacified.

• Dissolved rump April 1653.

• Barebones parliament July to December 1653: a mixture of moderate conservatives and religious radicals (irritated by most 5th monarchists).

Shutting down the rump

Dissolved April 1653 = reluctance to pursue ‘Godly reform’.

Rumpers = too conservative.

Failure of Barebones Parliament

Nominated assmebky foundered before appointed term = aggressive minority of 5th monarchists tried to steer towards over-radical reform of the law/millenarian rule of the saints.

12th December 1653 = mod majority walk out, resign power to Cromwell.

Cromwell: p = “a tale of my own weakness and folly”.

First Protectorate Parliament: Aims

• Godly reformation (prepare England for the struggle against Satan and the Second Coming of Jesus, Cromwell has sympathies with millenarians), healing & settling, a constitutional settlement to work with parliament.

Instrument of Government

• Executive power given to an elected Lord Protector and a Council of State (13-21 members).

• Adopted on 15th December 1653, next day Cromwell made Lord Protector for life (not hereditary).

• Cromwell required to call triennial Parliaments - a single house = 400 England, 30 Scot and 30 Irish.