15. Political divisions and experiments: Rump, Millenarianism and nominated assembly

Dutch War 1652 - 1654

Rump struggled to maintain authority after or during the interregnum

Source of division was the Dutch war itself due to army seeing Dutch as natural protestant allies but the Rump directly impeded on Dutch trade interests with the Navigation act of 1651

This stoked anger due to the Rump spending on the navy instead of the army as well as using the Navy as a counterweight to the army

Failures of Rump and reasons for its dissolution

The army became increasingly angry at the Rumps limited reform, due to many being conservative.

1. Conservatism of MPs: only 22 of the 41 refused to swear an oath approving of the regicide and removal of the House of Lords. Many expelled MPs were welcomed back to broaden Rump support and the nature of MPs themselves such as lawyers were naturally resistant to change

2. Economic: The Rump came to power when there was the greatest economic crisis of the 17th century, necessitating a more conservative approach

3. Security situation: Threats abroad and from Scotland and Ireland meant establishing the regime was a priority instead of reformation

4. Fears of radical religious groups

5. Dutch War: Became focus of the Rumps attention

Key problems contributing to failure of Rump parliament

1. Political nations want for return to normality opposed the radical minority, especially in the army who wanted further reforms to follow the idea of a political revolution

2. Relation between Rump and NMA was fragile. The army held the real power and parliament could only operate under the protection of the NMA.

Seen as too radical by traditionalists yet too moderate by radicals. By choosing to appeal to conservatives, the rump set itself against the power of the NMA

The Rump also cut funding to the army as well as took control of the army, which angered Cromwell who responded by dismantling a parliament he felt did not provide what was intended.

Nominated Assembly and parliament of saints 1653

The rump took very religious reforms, such as setting up commissions for the propagation of the gospel in the North and Wales

Reform proposals of the nominated assembly and parliament of saints

1. Reform of the law on debt

2. Reform on civil registration of births, deaths and marriages

3. Tougher measures against thieves and highwaymen

Fifth monarchists themselves in the assembly were small, only about 12 fifth monarchists, yet they wer every well organised

Able to get through the abolition of Chancery and lay patronage of Church livings as well as signal their want to remove tithes.

This alienated many and Cromwell himself took action, noting that the liberties of the people would be removed if he did not act

Also proposals to cut army pay was met quickly with powerful resistance