THE INTERREGNUM 1649-1660
the time where the Britain was a republic ruled under a lord protector
Lord protectors - Oliver Cromwell 1653-58
Richard Cromwell 1658-59
Strict puritan rule
a branch of christianity that focused on the more traditional aspects of the Bible and Christian life
the time between Charles I's death and the come back of his son Charles II
Charles II's comeback marked the start of the restoration period
Cromwell's relationship w parliament was troubled
the result of the civil war when parliament vs royalists (roundheads vs caviliers)
tensions over the constitution and the issue of supremacy, control of the armed forces and debate over religious toleration.
Cromwell was offered the position of King but refused as it went against what he had just fought for
a series of experiments happened as the country tried to develop and adapt the constitution to be workable without a monarch
the Protectorate parliaments
'Instrument of Government' (the new written constitution of 1653) placed lots of power in the 'Protector'
Charles I dissolved parliament A LOT
so there was new legislation placed that meant parliament could not be dissolved without its own approval
this had to be before a minimum of 5 months had passed
When Cromwell's first Parliament met in September 1654, it was full of former Members of the Rump, "Commonwealthmen"
Cromwell supported the creation of an other house in Parliament (basically the house of lords)
Olivers personality
forceful and assertive, but he also had a very grave temperament that bordered on the melancholic
Cromwell's convincing military successes at Drogheda in Ireland (1649), Dunbar in Scotland (1650) and Worcester in England (1651) forced Charles I's son, Charles, into foreign exile despite being accepted and crowned King in Scotland.
banned the festivities that came hand in hand with christmas, easter and birthdays, banned sports
The rule of the major generals 1655
Cromwell ordered that each County in England be governed by a Major-General.
richards personality
no interest in studying and lazy with a love of luxury
bit of a wet wipe
The 'Rule of the Major Generals' was repealed after a year, when new proposals for taxation to support their activities was voted down by the newly elected Second Protectorate Parliament in September 1656, for fear of a permanent military state
Cromwell had proved himself no more successful than Charles I in handling Parliament