Parliaments and Politics during the Cromwellian Protectorate

A book-length study of the period of the Cromwellian Protectorate from 1653 to 1659.

Patrick Little (Author), David L. Smith (Author)

9780521123099, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 12 November 2009

360 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2 cm, 0.53 kg

Review of the hardback: 'The authors offer clear, crisp and fresh images of the parliaments, built upon detailed analysis and impressive new research … This excellent volume marks a huge step forward in placing them more firmly and more positively on the historical map.' BBC History Magazine

This volume provides a detailed book-length study of the period of the Protectorate Parliaments from September 1654 to April 1659. The study is very broad in its scope, covering topics as diverse as the British and Irish dimensions of the Protectorate Parliaments, the political and social nature of factions, problems of management, the legal and judicial aspects of Parliament's functions, foreign policy and the nature of the parliamentary franchise and elections in this period. In its wide-ranging analysis of Parliaments and politics throughout the Protectorate the book also examines both Lord Protectors, all three Protectorate Parliaments and the reasons why Oliver and Richard Cromwell were never able to achieve a stable working relationship with any Parliament. Its chronological coverage extends to the demise of the Third Protectorate Parliament in April 1659. This comprehensive account will appeal to historians of early modern British political history.

1. Introduction: historiography and sources
2. Parliament and the paper constitutions
3. Elections
4. Exclusions
5. Factional politics and parliamentary management
6. Oliver Cromwell and Parliaments
7. Richard Cromwell and Parliaments
8. Law reform, judicature and the Other House
9. Religious reform
10. Representation and taxation in England and Wales
11. Parliament and foreign policy
12. Irish and Scottish affairs
13. Conclusion
Appendix 1. Members excluded from the Second Protectorate Parliament
Appendix 2. The Remonstrance of 23 February 1657.

Subject Areas: Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700 [HBLH], British & Irish history [HBJD1]