This is the chapter of the Interregnum... the period between kings Charles the I and his son, Charles II, in which England made an attempt at being a Commonwealth. (It didn't work so well.)
It is also the time of Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of England, who was in "no way" a king, merely a citizen. (But you know how those things go...)
- With the death of Charles I in 1649, Parliament and the Army proclaimed that England, Scotland, and Ireland, as well as all their holdings, were now part of the "Commonwealth," and that royalty was outlawed.
- Prior to this, in 1648, Colonel Pryde had removed all members of Parliament who did not want to try the King for treason. The Presbyterian faction had been in control, but intended to create a constitutional monarchy, stripping Charles I of all power. Pryde and the new model Army had no intention of leaving Charles alive, and staged a military coup. Most of the Parliament was fired, 45 were jailed, and only the "Rump" Parliament remained. The Rump Parliament was a shadow of the Long Parliament of Charles I, consisting only of military men and those in their pockets. England was effectively run by a military Junta.
- For the next 2 years, the New Model Army invaded Scotland and Ireland to bring them into the fold. This was not met with happiness, especially since Scotland was already being ruled by Charles II, son of Charles I. Even so, the Roundhead ranks held many capable generals, including Oliver Cromwell, already well known for his military acumen. Scotland was crushed, and Charles II fled to France.
- By 1653, rifts were developing between the Rump Parliament and the military. The military wanted more independence from government, and the Rump Parliament feared being marginalized further. The Parliament decided to meet even after a deadline was reached for them to retire to their homes. Cromwell responded by marching soldiers into the House of Commons and, at gunpoint, screaming at the Parliament members as he fired the lot of them. Cromwell and the New Model Army were now completely in charge.
- Cromwell attempted to create a new Parliament called the Nominated Assembly, or the "Assembly of Saints." Cromwell by now was becoming well known for his Puritan zealotry, and the Assembly were hand picked by the Puritans. This group fared no better in getting along with Cromwell, and was publicly mocked for being puppets. Cromwell fired these men, too... his soldiers literally THROWING some of them out the doors of Parliament on their way out.
- Now distrustful of politicians in general, Cromwell passed a resolution which made him the "Lord Protector for life." (Certainly not a king, no way!) As the Protector for life, he was effectively a dictator.
- Cromwell now appointed his OWN Parliament, and demanded radical reform. The Protectorate Parliament advised moderation... so Cromwell fired them, too.
- Cromwell, now no longer attempting to hide his dictatorship, assigned military commanders for each province. These "Major Generals" answered only to Cromwell, and enforced his increasingly strict and unpopular laws.
- Cromwell and his zealous Puritan Generals outlawed nearly all forms of entertainment. Sports, singing, plays, cosmetics, dancing bears, cursing, alcohol, smoking, and all holidays (including Christmas!) were banned. Punishments for violating any of these Puritanical laws were severely harsh, often including torture and death. To say these moves were unpopular is a ridiculous understatement. The people began to openly rebel.
- The Dutch started a war during this time, mostly over trade with the New World. Cromwell was able to beat the Dutch at sea, though, further cementing his power. He then attacked Spain, taking Jamaica and many of their other holdings.
- Cromwell noted how well the Jewish community had supported the Dutch, and formally invited the Jews of Europe to return to England, overturning the over 300 years old Edict of Expulsion that had been put forward by Edward I.
- By now, Parliament (such that it was) had offered Cromwell the "Crown of Parliament," Cromwell was appearing on the coinage in royal profile, he had named his son to be the next Lord Protector for Life, and had even had a "celebration of rulership" in Westminster Abbey in which he sat on the throne of Edward I and received promises of loyalty.... oh but he wasn't a king, mind you... he was merely the protector of the Commonwealth. In NO WAY was he a king... GOT IT?
- In 1658, Cromwell died of Malaria and Kidney problems. His son, Richard Cromwell, took the position of Lord Protector, and was immediately ignored by most of the Army, Parliament, and the people. It was clear that Oliver Cromwell had failed to achieve any sort of real constitutional government, and that the people were simply not ready for such things. The Puritans were losing power due to their unpopularity, and the Military was resented for their heavy handedness. Richard Cromwell was quietly pushed into obscurity, earning the nickname "Tumbledown Dick." He retired quietly, valuing his skin more than his position.
- The people of England, disappointed and bitter, turned to Charles II, long living in exile in France, and asked him to return. Charles II agreed. The Interregnum... and the Commonwealth... were finished.
It is also the time of Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of England, who was in "no way" a king, merely a citizen. (But you know how those things go...)
- With the death of Charles I in 1649, Parliament and the Army proclaimed that England, Scotland, and Ireland, as well as all their holdings, were now part of the "Commonwealth," and that royalty was outlawed.
- Prior to this, in 1648, Colonel Pryde had removed all members of Parliament who did not want to try the King for treason. The Presbyterian faction had been in control, but intended to create a constitutional monarchy, stripping Charles I of all power. Pryde and the new model Army had no intention of leaving Charles alive, and staged a military coup. Most of the Parliament was fired, 45 were jailed, and only the "Rump" Parliament remained. The Rump Parliament was a shadow of the Long Parliament of Charles I, consisting only of military men and those in their pockets. England was effectively run by a military Junta.
- For the next 2 years, the New Model Army invaded Scotland and Ireland to bring them into the fold. This was not met with happiness, especially since Scotland was already being ruled by Charles II, son of Charles I. Even so, the Roundhead ranks held many capable generals, including Oliver Cromwell, already well known for his military acumen. Scotland was crushed, and Charles II fled to France.
- By 1653, rifts were developing between the Rump Parliament and the military. The military wanted more independence from government, and the Rump Parliament feared being marginalized further. The Parliament decided to meet even after a deadline was reached for them to retire to their homes. Cromwell responded by marching soldiers into the House of Commons and, at gunpoint, screaming at the Parliament members as he fired the lot of them. Cromwell and the New Model Army were now completely in charge.
- Cromwell attempted to create a new Parliament called the Nominated Assembly, or the "Assembly of Saints." Cromwell by now was becoming well known for his Puritan zealotry, and the Assembly were hand picked by the Puritans. This group fared no better in getting along with Cromwell, and was publicly mocked for being puppets. Cromwell fired these men, too... his soldiers literally THROWING some of them out the doors of Parliament on their way out.
- Now distrustful of politicians in general, Cromwell passed a resolution which made him the "Lord Protector for life." (Certainly not a king, no way!) As the Protector for life, he was effectively a dictator.
- Cromwell now appointed his OWN Parliament, and demanded radical reform. The Protectorate Parliament advised moderation... so Cromwell fired them, too.
- Cromwell, now no longer attempting to hide his dictatorship, assigned military commanders for each province. These "Major Generals" answered only to Cromwell, and enforced his increasingly strict and unpopular laws.
- Cromwell and his zealous Puritan Generals outlawed nearly all forms of entertainment. Sports, singing, plays, cosmetics, dancing bears, cursing, alcohol, smoking, and all holidays (including Christmas!) were banned. Punishments for violating any of these Puritanical laws were severely harsh, often including torture and death. To say these moves were unpopular is a ridiculous understatement. The people began to openly rebel.
- The Dutch started a war during this time, mostly over trade with the New World. Cromwell was able to beat the Dutch at sea, though, further cementing his power. He then attacked Spain, taking Jamaica and many of their other holdings.
- Cromwell noted how well the Jewish community had supported the Dutch, and formally invited the Jews of Europe to return to England, overturning the over 300 years old Edict of Expulsion that had been put forward by Edward I.
- By now, Parliament (such that it was) had offered Cromwell the "Crown of Parliament," Cromwell was appearing on the coinage in royal profile, he had named his son to be the next Lord Protector for Life, and had even had a "celebration of rulership" in Westminster Abbey in which he sat on the throne of Edward I and received promises of loyalty.... oh but he wasn't a king, mind you... he was merely the protector of the Commonwealth. In NO WAY was he a king... GOT IT?
- In 1658, Cromwell died of Malaria and Kidney problems. His son, Richard Cromwell, took the position of Lord Protector, and was immediately ignored by most of the Army, Parliament, and the people. It was clear that Oliver Cromwell had failed to achieve any sort of real constitutional government, and that the people were simply not ready for such things. The Puritans were losing power due to their unpopularity, and the Military was resented for their heavy handedness. Richard Cromwell was quietly pushed into obscurity, earning the nickname "Tumbledown Dick." He retired quietly, valuing his skin more than his position.
- The people of England, disappointed and bitter, turned to Charles II, long living in exile in France, and asked him to return. Charles II agreed. The Interregnum... and the Commonwealth... were finished.