Cromwell's Unsuccessful Constitution: What Went Wrong?

Oliver Cromwell failed to set up a constitution in 1653, when he rejected the crown offered to him by Parliament in 1657. Instead, he was re-installed as Lord Protector, a position he had first assumed in 1653. Cromwell's new rights and powers were laid out in the Humble Petition and Advice, a legislative instrument that replaced the Instrument of Government. The Instrument of Government, created by the Barebones Parliament, was the first-ever written constitution adopted by a modern state. Cromwell's failure to support his men and his religious convictions ultimately led to the demise of his constitutional experiment.

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Cromwell rejected the Scottish model of Presbyterianism

Oliver Cromwell was a key figure in the mid-17th century political and religious turmoil in England, Scotland, and Ireland. He was instrumental in the English Civil War, the execution of King Charles I, and the subsequent establishment of a republican government. Cromwell's religious views played a significant role in his rejection of the Scottish model of Presbyterianism.

Cromwell's religious beliefs were complex and evolved over time. He was most closely associated with the Congregationalists or 'Independents', who were conventionally Calvinist in doctrine. However, he also demonstrated tolerance towards other Protestant groups, including Presbyterians, Episcopalians, and Congregationalists. Cromwell encouraged religious liberty and was open to religious experimentation, which put him at odds with more rigid Presbyterian sympathisers in the Commons.

Cromwell's rejection of the Scottish Presbyterian model was also influenced by his experiences in Ireland and Scotland. He witnessed the loyalty of Scottish Presbyterians to the monarchy, which led him to believe that war was necessary to establish a new government. Additionally, he encountered resistance from Scottish Presbyterians, such as Major-General Lawrence Crawford, who objected to Cromwell's encouragement of Independents and Anabaptists.

Cromwell's religious views guided his actions as Lord Protector. He established the Nominated Assembly, or Barebone's Parliament, which was tasked with finding a permanent constitutional settlement. Cromwell's tolerance extended to inviting Jews back to England, believing it would aid the country's recovery and potentially hasten the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. However, his religious patronage and support for religious liberty were not without criticism, and he faced opposition from various religious factions.

Cromwell's failure to support his men

Oliver Cromwell was a key figure in the political and military history of England during the mid-17th century. He played a significant role in the English Civil War, the execution of King Charles I, and the subsequent establishment of a new form of government. However, his failure to support his men during this tumultuous period ultimately contributed to their demise and shaped the course of events.

Cromwell's relationship with his men, particularly those in the military, was complex. He was known for his religious convictions and believed in the importance of "godly men" in positions of leadership. He once stated, "I would rather have a plain russet-coated captain who knows what he fights for and loves what he knows than that which you call a gentleman and is nothing else." This sentiment guided his approach to military appointments, prioritizing individuals' religious credentials and commitment to reform over social status or traditional qualifications.

In April 1653, Cromwell used the army to eject the Rump Parliament due to their failure to introduce the desired political, legal, and social reforms. Instead of imposing direct military rule, he worked to establish a new civilian government, known as the Nominated Assembly or Barebones Parliament. This assembly was tasked with producing a more permanent constitutional settlement, reflecting Cromwell's desire to reconcile religious and political interests.

However, Cromwell's relationship with his military supporters began to deteriorate. After a Royalist uprising in March 1655, known as the Penruddock Rising, Cromwell divided England into military districts ruled by army major generals who answered only to him. These "godly governors" were intended to strengthen national security and impose Cromwell's religious convictions. However, their position was weakened by a controversial tax proposal to provide financial backing for their work. The second Protectorate Parliament, instated in September 1656, voted down this proposal out of fear of establishing a permanent military state.

In conclusion, Cromwell's failure to support his men during a critical period of political and religious reform had significant consequences. His inability to secure their position and protect their interests ultimately led to their demise. This episode underscores the challenges Cromwell faced in navigating the complex landscape of mid-17th-century England, where religious convictions, military power, and political pragmatism often clashed.

Cromwell's religious convictions

Oliver Cromwell was a key figure in the mid-17th century religious and political landscape of England. His religious convictions were a significant influence on his political actions and policies.

Cromwell's early life was marked by financial and personal failure, and he even contemplated emigration to New England. However, in the 1630s, he became a religious Independent and experienced a conversion that led him to believe his successes were the result of divine providence. This belief in providence continued to shape his outlook, as evidenced by his later statement that his successes in the civil war were due to being chosen by God to perform His will.

Cromwell's strong religious faith gave a "religious tinge" to many of his political policies. He sought a "Godly reformation," which involved reforming inhumane elements of the legal, judicial, and social systems, and clamping down on activities deemed sinful, such as drunkenness and immorality. Cromwell's desire for religious reform was a driving force behind his establishment of the Nominated Assembly, also known as the "Barebones Parliament," in 1653. This assembly was tasked with finding a permanent constitutional settlement and was composed of men chosen for their passion for Godly reform.

Cromwell's sympathy for those seeking religious liberty was another notable aspect of his religious convictions. He supported the idea of "liberty of conscience," which meant freedom for various Protestant groups to practise their beliefs without disturbing others. This stance was controversial at the time, particularly among Presbyterian sympathisers in the Commons, who feared that support for religious liberty would sabotage their plans for a reformed national church. Cromwell's emphasis on religious liberty led him to reject the Scottish model of Presbyterianism, which threatened to replace one authoritarian hierarchy with another.

In summary, Cromwell's religious convictions were a driving force behind many of his actions and policies. His desire for religious reform and liberty for tender consciences shaped his domestic policies and the establishment of the Nominated Assembly. His sympathy for Protestant groups influenced his foreign policy efforts, and his belief in divine providence and being chosen by God informed his outlook on his successes.

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Cromwell's refusal of the crown

Oliver Cromwell was a key figure in the tumultuous political landscape of 17th-century England, and his actions played a significant role in shaping the country's future. One of the most notable episodes during this period was Cromwell's refusal of the crown, which occurred in the context of his efforts to establish a stable government and constitution.

In April 1653, Cromwell, frustrated with the failure of MPs to introduce political, legal, and social reforms, used the army to disband the "Rump Parliament". He then worked to establish a civilian government, appointing around 140 men from across the British Isles to a body known as the Nominated Assembly or "Barebones Parliament". This assembly was tasked with finding a permanent constitutional settlement. However, the representatives could not agree on a settlement, and many resigned in December 1653, returning power to Cromwell.

In the midst of these political upheavals, Cromwell received a formal offer from Parliament known as the "Humble Petition and Advice". This offer, presented on March 31, 1657, included a proposal for a limited, hereditary monarchy and offered Cromwell the crown. Cromwell agonised over the decision for several weeks, during which time he occupied a position akin to royalty, with access to royal regalia and ceremonial privileges. Ultimately, however, he rejected the offer, stating, "I would not seek to set up that which Providence hath destroyed and laid in the dust".

The refusal of the crown by Cromwell highlights his complex relationship with power and his desire to balance authority with consent. It also underscores the challenges faced in establishing a stable government and constitution during this tumultuous era in English history.

Cromwell's failure to get parliamentary sanction

Oliver Cromwell was a highly influential figure in the development of British parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. However, his relationship with Parliament was complex and marked by several significant failures to obtain parliamentary sanction.

One of Cromwell's early attempts to secure parliamentary support occurred in 1647, when he negotiated with the New Model Army, which had been radicalised by Parliament's failure to pay their wages. Cromwell failed to reach an agreement with the army, and the King was subsequently seized from parliamentary imprisonment by Cornet George Joyce. Despite this setback, Cromwell continued to play a crucial role in the political events that followed, including the outbreak of the Second English Civil War in 1648.

In 1653, Cromwell used the army to eject the Rump Parliament due to their failure to introduce political, legal, and social reforms. He then worked to establish a new civilian government, appointing 140 men from across the British Isles to a body known as the Nominated Assembly or Barebones Parliament. However, this assembly also failed to agree on a settlement, and many members resigned in December 1653, returning power to Cromwell. He then implemented a new constitution, "The Instrument of Government," establishing himself as Lord Protector and head of state.

Cromwell's efforts to obtain parliamentary sanction continued into the late 1650s. In 1656, he reluctantly agreed to the Major-Generals' argument that another parliament needed to be called. This new parliament offered Cromwell a legislative instrument known as the Humble Petition and Advice, which proposed a wide measure of freedom of conscience and religious liberty. However, Cromwell's refusal to accept the crown offered by Parliament in 1657 caused tension and highlighted his complex relationship with parliamentary authority.

Cromwell's failure to obtain consistent parliamentary sanction throughout the 1650s can be attributed to various factors, including the fragile political climate, his reliance on military force, and his struggle to balance his religious convictions with the demands of governance. Despite these failures, Cromwell's overall contribution to the evolution of parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy in Britain is significant, even as his legacy remains controversial due to his role in the Civil War and the execution of the King.

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