cromwell's refusal of the crown

Which region did George Monck govern?

Scotland.

Who was John Desborough (1608–80)?

He had married Cromwell’s sister Jane in 1636.

What was Desborough’s background?

Trained as a lawyer; became a cavalry commander in the Civil Wars and an MP in the Parliaments of 1654 and 1656.

How was Desborough described?

A blunt-speaking and down-to-earth man, mocked by Royalists as a ‘rustic’.

What was Desborough’s stance on offering the Crown to Cromwell?

He was firmly republican and vigorously opposed offering the Crown.

Who was John Claypole (1625–88)?

He married Cromwell’s second daughter Elizabeth in 1646.

What was Claypole’s Civil War role?

He raised a cavalry troop in Northamptonshire and was promoted by Cromwell to the ceremonial position of ‘Master of the Horse’.

What was Claypole’s political role?

An MP in both Protectorate Parliaments; opposed the Major Generals experiment.

What title did Cromwell award Claypole in 1657?

Baron, entitled to be known as Lord John Claypole.

When did Elizabeth die?

1658.

By early 1657, what was clear to Cromwell about the constitutional experiment?

It was neither bringing about the ‘healing and settling’ necessary for stability nor enshrining liberty of conscience.

When was the Humble Petition and Advice brought before Parliament?

February 1657.

What form did it take?

A new constitutional proposal.

What had the Nayler case exposed?

The problem of liberty of conscience.

When were the final days of the Instrument and Major Generals?

Christmas Day 1656.

What did Major General Desborough introduce?

A Militia Bill to turn the Decimation Tax from a temporary measure into a permanent tax.

Why was this controversial?

The Major Generals were unpopular and the Decimation Tax was a high watermark in their unpopularity.

What did Desborough’s Bill push into the open?

The growing polarity between civilians and military men.

Whose attack did Cromwell support?

His son-in-law John Claypole’s attack on the Militia Bill.

What did this signal?

A death knell to the Major Generals and the Instrument of Government.

Where did the Humble Petition and Advice originate?

Among Cromwell’s civilian supporters.

What did it call for dramatically?

Reinstatement of the office of monarch, with Oliver Cromwell as the first office holder.

What did it propose regarding religious liberty?

A new definition of religious liberty and toleration.

What did it propose regarding the Church?

The establishment of a national Church with a wide Confession of Faith.

What change was proposed to the Council of State?

Reduction to a small group more reminiscent of the Privy Council.

What new institution was proposed?

A new Upper Chamber nominated by Protector and Council.

What right was granted to the Lord Protector?

The right to nominate his successor.

Who led republican opposition?

Sir Arthur Haselrig.

What did Haselrig oppose specifically?

The introduction of an upper chamber.

Why did he oppose it?

He had been part of the Rump that abolished the House of Lords and did not believe there could be a higher authority than the Commons.

What was the army’s key objection?

That Cromwell should not become king.

What did army officers claim they had done?

Hazarded their lives against the monarch in defence of the liberties of the nation.

What did they fear?

Bringing the nation under the old servitude by pressing Cromwell to take the title and government of a king.

What did they request?

That Cromwell discountenance such endeavours and continue steadfast to the good old cause.

Who was Charles Fleetwood (1618–92)?

Worked through the ranks of the New Model Army.

What was his strength?

An excellent military administrator.

Whom did he marry?

Bridget Ireton (Cromwell’s widowed daughter) in 1652.

What was his Major General role?

Eastern counties.

How was he described personally?

Did not cope well with stress in the 1650s and had a tendency to weep with anxiety in public.

When was the revised Remonstrance presented?

3 March 1657.

When did Cromwell reject the Crown?

13 April 1657.

Why did Cromwell reject kingship?

He could not reconcile kingship with Christian faith and his understanding of providence; he feared committing sins of pride and ambition.

What did Cromwell say about monarchy?

God had eradicated a whole family and their title; it was providence at work and he would not set up what providence had destroyed.

When did Cromwell accept the amended Petition?

June 1657.

What chair was used?

St Edward’s Chair (the Coronation Chair).

Who rode with Cromwell to the investiture?

His third son, Richard.