The Rump and The Nominated Assembly

Who were the Rumpers?

Around 210 members - supporters of religious Independents, some who had sympathised with the Levellers, a number of Political Presbyterians and formerly excluded MPs.

Where did power truly lie?

With Cromwell - he was both an MP in Parliament and commander of the army (Rump was more conservative and the Army was more radical).

Why were there contradictions within the Rump?

It was quite socially conservative, around 1/4 were regicides, most came from the gentry and therefore would be less likely to wish for reformation of existing legal systems (because they benefitted from it).

What happened in March 1649?

The Rump declared that it would dissolve and make way for a newly elected government - regulated top-up elections - an empty promise.

Oath of Engagement

1650 - All men over 18 to swear to be faithful to the Commonwealth - was not a guarantee of their loyalty.

Inactivity of the Rump

Could not reduce the weight of taxation or disband the army, smothered proposals for reform as they wanted to maintain their conservative aims.

What did the Diggers want?

Wanted to see the abolition of private property rights in favour of the communal ownership of land

By what year were the Diggers suppressed?

1650

Why were the Ranters seen as a threat to social order?

They rejected the concept of obedience and argued that sin only existed in the mind.

What and when was the Adultery Act passed?

May 1650 - the death penalty for adultery and fornication, although it was never applied in practice (aimed at the Ranters).

What and when was the Blasphemy Act passed?

August 1650 - to restrain the religious "enthusiasm" of the Ranters.

What was the Toleration Act? (and when)

September 1650 - ended compulsory attendance to the Church of England.

When did Cromwell dissolve the Rump?

20th April 1653

Why did Cromwell dissolve the Rump?

Mostly due to the reluctance of the Rump to carry out 'godly reform' as they were dominated by social and religious conservatives.

What was the Nominated Assembly?

A body comprised of 70 selected godly souls nominated by radical religious congregations of London. Number was increased to 140 meaning radicals were in the minority.

Fifth Monarchist influence over the Nominated Assembly

Fifth Monarchists such as Cromwell’s friend and advisor Thomas Harrison believed that the timing of the events of the Interregnum were significant because the calendar year 1666 loomed large on the horizon.

• Harrison believed that there be a ruling body based upon the Old Testament Sanhedrin of 70 selected “Saints”, which was based on his beliefs, as a Fifth Monarchist, that the rule of the Saints would usher in the reign of Christ on Earth.

When did the Nominated Assembly start?

4th July 1653

Why did Barebones ultimately end in dissolution?

The Fifth Monarchists tried to steer it towards over-radical reform of the law and tried to abolish tithes.

When and how did the Nominated Assembly dissolve?

12th December 1653 - moderate majority staged a walk-out and resigned power back into Cromwell's hands.

Why did Cromwell move to dissolve?

The Rump agreed to publish a bill declaring an election but Cromwell didn’t find the bill they made to be satisfactory. He took the Bill and destroyed it.

• Cromwell believed that the bill did not define the qualifications for future MPs strictly enough and would allow too many monarchists back into power.

• He believed that there would be some devious ways in which Rumpers could have made use of the bill to perpetuate their own power.

The stability of England in 1651

In 1651, England was not very stable- despite Cromwell’s military success, the regime remained unpopular and lacked legitimacy. The army was necessary to defend the Rump, but could not generate positive support- after all a standing army and years of war had created high taxes, disrupted trade and destroyed harvests.

Tensions between the army and the Rump were set to rise.