The Rump Parliament, a remnant of the Long Parliament following the English Civil War, faced increasing scrutiny and discontent, particularly from Oliver Cromwell, who had established himself as a central military and political figure. On April 20, 1653, Cromwell, accompanied by troops from the New Model Army, stormed the House of Commons to dissolve the Rump Parliament. The MPs present, many of whom were reluctant to relinquish their power, were forcibly removed. Cromwell's action was predicated on his view that the Parliament had failed to govern effectively and decisively after the Civil War, which had concluded with the execution of King Charles I in 1649. The dissolution marked the reassertion of military power within English governance, signaling a turning point in the political landscape.

Cromwell described the Rump Parliament's failure to act on important issues including taxation, law reform, and religious tolerance, which eroded public trust. He viewed the Parliament as self-serving and incapable of fulfilling the mandate of the people, leading him to take unilateral action. Following the dissolution, Cromwell attempted to establish a new political framework, leading to the creation of the Barebone's Parliament later that year, which would also ultimately fail to satisfy his governance goals. The event underscores the tensions and conflicts symptomatic of England's turbulent political environment during the Interregnum, where military leaders like Cromwell sought to impose order amidst chaos.