Cromwell, The Lord Protector Failed Quest for Legitimacy,

Cromwell’s challenges Who was in charge after Charles was executed? Rump Parliament and Cromwell agreed on many things but it was too concerned with issues of class and position. Cromwell had to crush it. Levellers want more democracy—Cromwell crushed them at Battle of Burford, 1649 Irish Rebels defeated at Drogheda (1649) & had to accept Act of Settlement, giving 2/3rds of Irish land to English Scottish supporters of Charles II defeated at Worchester in 1651—Scotland Occupied.

"I am persuaded that this is a righteous judgment of God upon these barbarous wretches, who have imbued their hands in so much innocent blood and that it will tend to prevent the effusion of blood for the future, which are satisfactory grounds for such actions, which otherwise cannot but work remorse and regret." A Jesuit view of Cromwell at Drogheda

Katherine Chidley ( ) Considering that we have an equal share and interest with men in the Commonwealth and it cannot be laide waste (as it now is) and not we be the greatest and most helpless sufferers therein; and considering that poverty and famine, like a mighty torrent is breaking in upon us... And we are not able to see our children hang upon us and cry out for bread, and not have wherewithal to feed them, we had rather die than see that day….

John Lilburne ( ) Agreement of the People-Agreement of the People--1647

Cromwell trumps the Rump Parliament was too oligarchic and lacked the respect of the nation 1653 Rump prorogued at swordpoint and new Parliament elected Called “Barebones” parliament after Praise God Barebones Zealous men all, Barebones parliament was nonetheless a den of righteous fools. Cromwell sent them home in December 1653

Praise God Barebones ( )

Instrument of Government—Dec Cromwell—Lord Protector Council of State to check Cromwell’s power Single House legislature—had to have property worth 200Ł to vote Standing army of 30,000 written into Constitution By 1655, Cromwell was ruling alone.

Cost of Wars and Army force Cromwell’s Hand 2.7 mil. Ł per year to run government, mostly to pay army Cromwell waged successful war against Dutch in 1651, but war with Spain produced few returns “Humble Petition and Advice”—new constitution, Cromwell king in all but name with right to name successor, 2d chamber added to legislature, 40 shilling freehold franchise restored. Most of Cromwell’s buddies went to upper chamber; lower chamber was a mess and C. prorogued it in 1658.

From Cromwell to Charles II C. died on September 3, 1658—son Richard succeeded him Parliament ordered New Model Army to Disband—General Monck delivered army without civil war. Levellers revived and radical Diggers appear (Christian communism) General Monck at head of army restored Parliament—already in negotiations with Charles II—Parliament restored; temporary Council of State Invites Charles to be king.

General George Monck ( ) “Peace is more grievous to men in subjection, than War is to them that enjoy their liberties. “