Commonwealth of England

Quick Facts: Who was Commonwealth of England?

Subject:

Commonwealth of England

Known for:

The republican period in England (1649–1660) following the execution of Charles I.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Commonwealth of England, enlarged in 1653 as the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland, was the political structure during the period from 1649 to 1660 when the Kingdom of England was dissolved into a republic after the end of the Second English Civil War and the trial and execution of Charles I. The republic's existence was declared through "An Act declaring England to be a Commonwealth", adopted by the Rump Parliament on 19 May 1649. Power in the early Commonwealth was vested primarily in the Parliament and a Council of State. During the period, fighting continued, particularly in Ireland and Scotland, between the parliamentary forces and those opposed to them, in the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland and the Anglo-Scottish war of 1650–1652. In 1653, after dissolution of the Rump Parliament, the Army Council adopted the Instrument of Government, by which Oliver Cromwell was made Lord Protector of a united "Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland", inaugurating the period now usually known as the Protectorate. After Cromwell's death, and following a brief period of rule under his son, Richard Cromwell, the Protectorate Parliament was dissolved in 1659 and the Rump Parliament recalled, starting a process that led to the restoration of the monarchy in 1660.

Career & Major Achievements

The term Commonwealth is sometimes used for the whole of 1649 to 1660 – called by some the Interregnum – although for other historians, the use of the term is limited to the years prior to Cromwell's formal assumption of power in 1653. In retrospect, the period of republican rule for England was a failure in the short term. During the 11-year period, no stable government was established to rule the English state for longer than a few months at a time. Several administrative structures were tried, and several Parliaments called and seated, but little in the way of meaningful, lasting legislation was passed. The only force keeping it together was the personality of Oliver Cromwell, who exerted control through the military by way of the "Grandees", being the Major-Generals and other senior military leaders of the New Model Army.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Not only did Cromwell's regime crumble into near anarchy upon his death and the brief administration of his son, but the monarchy he had overthrown was restored in 1660, and its first act was officially to erase all traces of any constitutional reforms of the Republican period. Still, the memory of the Parliamentarian cause, dubbed the Good Old Cause by the soldiers of the New Model Army, lingered on. The Commonwealth period is better remembered for the military success of Thomas Fairfax, Oliver Cromwell, and the New Model Army. Besides resounding victories in the English Civil War, the reformed Navy under the command of Robert Blake defeated the Dutch in the First Anglo-Dutch War, which marked the first step towards England's naval supremacy. In Ireland, the Commonwealth period is remembered for Cromwell's conquest of Ireland, which continued and completed the policies of the Tudor and Stuart periods.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1649: 1649 Milestone — The republic's existence was declared through "An Act declaring England to be a Commonwealth", adopted by the Rump Parliament on 19 May 1649.
2. 1650: 1650 Milestone — During the period, fighting continued, particularly in Ireland and Scotland, between the parliamentary forces and those opposed to them, in the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland and the Anglo-Scottish war of 1650–1652.
3. 1653: 1653 Milestone — The Commonwealth of England, enlarged in 1653 as the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland, was the political structure during the period from 1649 to 1660 when the Kingdom of England was dissolved into a republic after the end of the Second English Civil War and the trial and execution of Charles I.
4. 1659: 1659 Milestone — After Cromwell's death, and following a brief period of rule under his son, Richard Cromwell, the Protectorate Parliament was dissolved in 1659 and the Rump Parliament recalled, starting a process that led to the restoration of the monarchy in 1660.
5. 1660: 1660 Milestone — Not only did Cromwell's regime crumble into near anarchy upon his death and the brief administration of his son, but the monarchy he had overthrown was restored in 1660, and its first act was officially to erase all traces of any constitutional reforms of the Republican period.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Commonwealth of England

True or False: “The Commonwealth government immediately established a stable, lasting constitutional framework that satisfied all social classes.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): The period was marked by instability; no single government structure lasted longer than a few months at a time.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Charles I of England — Historical peer (Died in 1649) (1649): King of England, Scotland, and Ireland; ruled during the English Civil War.
• Elihu Yale — Historical peer (Born in 1649) (1649): British colonial administrator and primary benefactor of Yale University.
• Daniel Defoe — Historical peer (Born in 1660) (1660): Pioneering English novelist, journalist, and merchant of the early 18th century.
• Diego Velázquez — Historical peer (Died in 1660) (1660): Master of the Spanish Baroque, celebrated for court portraiture and technical brilliance.
• Arcangelo Corelli — Historical peer (Born in 1653) (1653): Pioneering Italian composer and violinist of the Baroque era.
• Artemisia Gentileschi — Historical peer (Died in 1653) (1653): Master Baroque painter, renowned for dramatic depictions of female strength and myth.
• Dorgon — Historical peer (Died in 1650) (1650): Manchu prince and powerful regent who governed the early Qing Dynasty.
• James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose — Historical peer (Died in 1650) (1650): Scottish nobleman, soldier, and poet, famed for his military prowess in the 17th century.
• Georges de La Tour — Historical peer (Died in 1652) (1652): Master of Baroque chiaroscuro, famed for religious scenes lit by candlelight.
• Inigo Jones — Historical peer (Died in 1652) (1652): Pioneering English architect who introduced classical Roman and Italian Renaissance styles to England.

Frequently Asked Questions about Commonwealth of England