Cromwell Ousted, Rump Parliament Restored
On May 6, 1659, a faction of the British Army removed Richard Cromwell from his position as Lord Protector of the Commonwealth. This coup reestablished the Rump Parliament, which had been a key governing body during the previous parliamentary session. The military intervention indicated a significant shift in power dynamics within the Commonwealth, illustrating the tensions that existed between military authority and parliamentary governance.
Richard Cromwell faced army dissent.
A coup led to military intervention.
Rump Parliament was restored to power.
Political instability marked the period.
What Happened?
In early May 1659, political unrest in England reached a critical point as dissatisfaction with Richard Cromwell's rule as Lord Protector grew. Cromwell, who succeeded his father Oliver Cromwell, faced mounting challenges due to economic difficulties, political fragmentation, and opposition from various factions, including royalists and republicans. The discontent among the army, once a strong supporter of the Commonwealth, culminated in a coup led by a faction that believed that Cromwell was not adequately representing their interests or the ideals of the revolution.
On May 6, a group of army officers acted decisively, insisting on Cromwell's ouster. They forcefully entered Whitehall, appealing to their authority as defenders of the Commonwealth amidst rising chaos. Cromwell's inability to secure trust from the military led to his resignation under pressure. Shortly thereafter, the Rump Parliament, which had been initially dismissed in 1653, was reinstated as the primary governing body. This restoration marked a significant return to parliamentary governance in an experiment that had seen various iterations of rule.
As the Rump Parliament reconvened, it grappled with the immediate tasks of addressing the tension between military and civilian governance, the economy, and internal divisions. The events of May also reflected broader themes within the English Civil War and the Commonwealth period, as loyalties continued to shift and the struggle for control unfolded in this turbulent era. The military's intervention signalled not merely a change in leadership but also represented an enduring challenge to the notion of governance that had started to take shape under Cromwell's rule.
Why Does it Matter?
The ousting of Richard Cromwell and the restoration of the Rump Parliament are significant as they illustrate the instability of the Commonwealth government post-Cromwell. This set the stage for further political developments, including eventual negotiations to restore the monarchy. The military’s influence in politics became increasingly pronounced, highlighting tensions between military and political powers, which would continue in subsequent years leading to the Restoration in 1660.