THE COMMONWEALTH. 1649 - 1653
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DOMINIONS At the time of the execution of the King the whole of England was in the hands of the Parliament and Army, with the exception of Pontefract Castle and the Scilly Islands, which were reduced March 21st, 1649, and May, 1651, respectively. The island of Guernsey was captured in October, Man in November, Jersey in December, 1651. Barbadoes and Virginia were also reduced in 1651. These islands and colonies were altogether, or had long practically been, dependencies of England, but the Commonwealth proceeded to foreign conquest when the army was sent to conquer Ireland in 1649, against such a combination of Irish and Anglo-Irish as has never been seen before or since. The conquest was assured in 1649, though hostilities continued for many years. The independent kingdom of Scotland was mostly conquered in 1650 and 1651, though opposition continued in the Highlands. |
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| Born about 1599. Lord Protector, 9 years. - Died 1658. |
PRINCIPAL EVENTS.
House of Lords abolished, 1649. The Scots proclaim Charles II. and are defeated at Dunbar, 1650. Charles II. defeated at Worcester, 1651. Naval war with the Dutch: Blake defeated by Van Tromp, 1652. The Long Parliament dissolved, and is succeeded by the Barebones Parliament. Three naval victories over the Dutch under Van Tromp. Peace with Holland, 1653. Treaty of peace between France and England, 1655. Cromwell requested to become king, but refuses, 1657. Dunkirk delivered up to the English, 1658.
Richard Cromwell proclaimed Lord Protector, but soon resigns. General Monk
favours the return of Charles, 1659, who returns, and is proclaimed in May, at Westminster Hall.
WARS
The naval war, to reduce the Royalist islands and
colonies, easily merged into a war with the Dutch, who traded with the colonies while in Royalist hands, and were
jealous of English maritime power. The war broke out in 1652; there were several severe and indecisive naval actions,
till, in 1653, the English got the upper hand. From February 18th to February 21st there was a running fight between
Blake and Van Tromp from off Portland Bill to off Cape Blanc Nez; on June 2nd and 3rd the Dutch were again defeated
off the North Foreland by Blake, Deane (killed in the action), Monk, and Penn; on July 31st the Dutch fleet was
nearly destroyed and Van Tromp killed, by Monk and Penn off the Texel,1653.
In 1649 Cromwell invaded Ireland, and by the storm of Drogheda and massacre of the garrison and population, September
11th, and by the storm of Wexford, October 9th, broke the neck of resistance.
In 1650 he invaded Scotland, and after a fruitless attempt upon Edinburgh was out-manoeuvred by David Leslie and
forced back upon the sea at Dunbar, where the over eagerness of the Scots gave him a great victory on September
3rd. In 1651 Charles II., with the Scotch army, marched into England, but were overtaken and entirely defeated
by Cromwell and Lambert at Worcester September 3rd; Monk meanwhile reduced most of Scotland.
OFFICIALS
Feb. 8th, 1649. Commissioners of the Great Seal,
Bulstrode Whitelocke, John Lisle, Sergeant Keeble.
Feb. 14th, 1649. A Council of State was erected by Parliament consisting of John Bradshaw made President, March
10th, and 40 other persons.
June ,26th, 1650. Oliver Cromwell Lord General, vice Fairfax retired.
In 1653, after the expulsion of the Parliament and the dissolution of the Council of State by Cromwell, a new Council
of State was erected, consisting of Oliver Cromwell, eight officers and four civilian; with John Thurloe as secretary,
who summoned the Parliament of Nominees, commonly called Barebones' Parliament
ACTS AND DOCUMENTS
1649, Feb. 1. The Members excluded by Pride's Purge
formally by vote expelled from the House.
March 17. The office of King abolished.
March 19. The House of Lords abolished.
The two latter Acts are printed in Gardiner,Const. Doc.&c. Joe., pp. 296-7.
1651, Oct. 9. The Navigation Act passed, forbidding the importation of goods into England from any European country,
except in English ships or in the ships of the country producing the goods, and forbidding trade with the colonies
except in English ships. It was aimed at the Dutch carrying trade, and the Dutch trade with the English colonies.
It was re-enacted after the Restoration as Car. II. 12, c. 18.
FURTHER STEPS IN THE RESTORATION
1658, Sept. 3. Death of Oliver Cromwell. Richard
declared Lord Protector.
1659, Jan. 29. Parliament meets. April 22. Parliament dissolved. May 7. The Members of the Long Parliament expelled
in 1653 re-assemble.
May 25. Richard retires from the Protectorate
Oct. 13 Fleetwood and Lambert expel the Parliament
1660 Feb. 3. The Army restores the Parliament Monk arrives in London with the Army from Scotland.
Feb. 13. The Engagement to be true to the Commonwealth voted by Parliament.
Feb. 21. The Members of Parliament expelled in 1648 re-admitted
Feb. 22. All votes of the Parliament since the forcible exclusion of these members rescinded, including the votes
which abolished Monarchy and the House of Lords.
March 13. The Engagement repudiated.
March 16. The Long Parliament dissolves itself.
April 4. The Declaration of Breda published by the King making general promises of indemnity, except to such as
shall be excepted by Parliament, a parliamentary settlement of religion, the retention of the ancient laws, security
for the occupiers of lands acquired during the interregnum, and offering service to the army. (Printed in Gardiner,
Const. Documents &c. p. 351.)
April 25. The Convention Parliament assembles, including the House of Lords.
May 1. The King invited to return by Parliament
May 25. The King lands at Dover.
May 29 A bill confirming Privilege of Parliament Magna Charta and the Petition of Right passes the second reading,
and is committed by the House of Commons. The King returns to London.
