OCR Specification focus:
‘religious and political issues; the rule of the Rump Parliament (1649–1653), its achievements and dismissal’
The Rump Parliament (1649–1653) was the governing body that replaced the monarchy and House of Lords following Charles I’s execution, overseeing England’s short-lived republican experiment.
Establishment of the Rump Parliament
Background
The Rump Parliament emerged from Pride’s Purge in December 1648, when Colonel Thomas Pride forcibly excluded MPs sympathetic to negotiating with the king. The remaining MPs—approximately 200—became the so-called "Rump."
It claimed authority as the legitimate continuation of Parliament, despite its diminished numbers.
The execution of Charles I in January 1649 created a power vacuum, and the Rump assumed both legislative and executive authority.
It declared England a Commonwealth, abolishing both the monarchy and the House of Lords.
The Great Seal of the Commonwealth (1649–1660), used on state documents during the republican regime. Its iconography replaced royal motifs to emphasise parliamentary sovereignty. Some versions depict a map and naval power on the obverse and the House of Commons on the reverse (extra detail not required by the syllabus). Source
Commonwealth: A republican system of government established in England after 1649, replacing monarchy with rule by Parliament and council.
This created an unprecedented situation in English politics: a state governed without a king.
Political Achievements of the Rump
Constitutional Reforms
The Rump sought to stabilise authority and establish legitimacy:
Abolished monarchy and Lords in 1649, creating a unicameral legislature.
Established the Council of State to direct government and foreign policy.
Asserted its right to legislate without royal assent.
Defence of the Regime
The Rump faced both internal and external threats:
Leveller uprisings in 1649, demanding radical political reform, were crushed at Burford.
Royalist risings were defeated, and in 1651 Charles II’s invasion was repelled at the Battle of Worcester.
By 1651, the regime had consolidated its survival against both radical and royalist opposition.
Foreign Policy and War
The Rump pursued an assertive foreign policy:
Fought the First Anglo-Dutch War (1652–54), aiming to protect English trade.
An 1897 historical illustration of the Battle off Dungeness (10 December 1652), an early engagement of the First Anglo-Dutch War. It helps students situate the conflict geographically and visually. The printed caption “BATTLE OFF DUNGENESS” appears within the image (extra label beyond the syllabus). Source
Strengthened the Navy, laying foundations for England’s emergence as a maritime power.
These policies secured short-term security but imposed heavy financial burdens.
Religious Policies
Religious Settlement
The Rump grappled with deep divisions over religion:
It upheld a broadly Presbyterian national Church but rejected compulsory uniformity.
Permitted a measure of religious toleration, particularly for Independent and Congregationalist groups.
However, toleration did not extend to Catholics or extreme sects like the Ranters.
This moderate religious approach aimed to avoid alienating key supporters while resisting radical reform.
Suppression of Radicals
The Rump acted firmly against those threatening order:
Levellers and millenarian sects were suppressed.
Blasphemy and heresy laws were retained to restrict religious experimentation.
Thus, while promoting limited toleration, the Rump resisted radical restructuring of the Church.
Social and Legal Reform
Proposed Reforms
The Rump considered wide-ranging reforms:
Law reform to simplify procedures and reduce costs.
Proposals for greater social justice, including the reform of poor relief.
Ideas to widen suffrage and redistribute political power.
Limited Progress
Despite discussions, progress was slow:
The conservative instincts of many MPs prevented sweeping changes.
Fear of destabilisation curbed appetite for radical social reform.
The Rump appeared preoccupied with survival rather than innovation.
As a result, reformist momentum disappointed both radicals and ordinary citizens.
Financial Challenges
Costs of War
The Rump inherited severe financial strain:
Wars in Ireland, Scotland, and later against the Dutch created unsustainable expenses.
The need to maintain a large standing army drained resources.
Standing Army: A permanent, professional military force maintained in peacetime, unlike temporary levies raised for specific wars.
Heavy taxation, including excise duties, provoked resentment.
Sale of confiscated Crown and Church lands raised revenue but alienated potential supporters.
These financial pressures exacerbated political tensions.
Tensions with the Army
Army Expectations
The New Model Army had been crucial in establishing the Commonwealth:
It expected reforms in line with its radical political and religious ideals.
Soldiers demanded legal reform, extended toleration, and security of pay.
Growing Distrust
The Rump often appeared reluctant to implement army demands:
MPs were cautious of alienating conservative elites.
By 1653, frustration grew within the army at the Rump’s lack of reform and self-preserving tendencies.
This created an increasingly unstable relationship between Parliament and its military powerbase.
Dismissal of the Rump
Cromwell’s Intervention
By early 1653, dissatisfaction with the Rump had reached crisis point:
MPs were accused of self-interest and delaying broader reforms.
The army, led by Oliver Cromwell, grew impatient with parliamentary inertia.
On 20 April 1653, Cromwell forcibly dissolved the Rump:
He entered the Commons with soldiers and dismissed MPs, accusing them of corruption.
Engraved reproduction (1796) after Benjamin West’s painting, depicting Cromwell ordering the House to dissolve as soldiers secure the scene. The mace—symbol of parliamentary authority—is singled out, underscoring the constitutional rupture. As an engraved copy after a painting, it includes aesthetic choices beyond the syllabus’ factual scope (extra detail not required). Source
The act symbolised the failure of parliamentary republicanism and the dominance of military authority.
Rump Parliament Dismissal (1653): The forcible dissolution of the Rump by Cromwell, ending its rule and ushering in new experiments in republican government.
The dismissal paved the way for the Nominated Assembly (Barebone’s Parliament) and, eventually, Cromwell’s Protectorate.
Assessment of Achievements and Failures
The Rump Parliament achieved survival and laid the foundation of the Commonwealth through:
Military victories securing the regime.
Naval strength and commercial war against the Dutch.
Establishing parliamentary sovereignty over monarchy and Lords.
Yet its achievements were undermined by:
Reluctance to enact radical reforms.
Financial burdens and unpopular taxation.
Growing alienation from both radicals and the army.
Ultimately, the Rump’s dismissal reflected its inability to reconcile survival with reform, leaving England’s republican experiment unfinished.
FAQ
The Council of State was created in 1649 to act as the executive authority of the Commonwealth. It had around 40 members, elected annually by the Rump.
It managed foreign affairs, war, and security, while also supervising trade and colonial policy. Despite its importance, the army’s influence ensured that the Council was often cautious in exercising power independently of Parliament.
Levellers criticised the Rump for failing to introduce radical reforms promised during the Civil War. They wanted:
Universal male suffrage
Annual parliaments
Religious toleration beyond the Rump’s limits
The Burford mutiny in 1649 revealed Leveller frustration, which was brutally suppressed, damaging the Rump’s reputation for toleration.
The Rump argued it was the legitimate continuation of the Long Parliament. It presented itself as acting on behalf of “the people” and claimed sovereignty rested with the House of Commons.
Propaganda and declarations stressed the dangers of monarchy and portrayed republican government as more accountable. However, many remained unconvinced, contributing to its weak legitimacy.
The Rump used pamphlets, sermons, and official declarations to justify regicide and promote the new Commonwealth.
Preachers emphasised biblical support for resisting tyranny.
Pamphleteers defended Parliament’s sovereignty.
Official publications highlighted military victories to associate the Rump with divine providence.
Despite this, hostile royalist and radical pamphlets undermined its image.
Heavy taxation, especially excise duties, burdened ordinary people, causing resentment in towns and rural communities.
Meanwhile, the sale of Crown and Church lands benefited wealthy investors and speculators who could afford to purchase them.
Thus, the Rump’s policies reinforced inequality, alienating the poor while rewarding the propertied classes who often supported its regime.
Practice Questions
Question 1 (2 marks):
In which year did Oliver Cromwell dissolve the Rump Parliament, and what was his main accusation against its members?
Mark Scheme:
1 mark for correctly identifying the year 1653.
1 mark for stating Cromwell’s main accusation that MPs were self-interested/corrupt or delaying necessary reforms.
Question 2 (6 marks):
Explain two reasons why the Rump Parliament failed to introduce significant reforms between 1649 and 1653.
Mark Scheme:
Up to 3 marks for each reason explained.
Indicative points:
Conservatism of MPs: many members were cautious, preferring stability over radical change (1 mark). This limited appetite for constitutional, religious, or social reform (1–2 additional marks for explanation).
Financial pressures: the costs of wars in Ireland, Scotland, and against the Dutch consumed resources (1 mark). This left little scope or willingness for wider reform, as taxation was already unpopular (1–2 additional marks for explanation).
Other acceptable answers: fear of alienating powerful elites, tensions with the army, priority given to security over innovation.
Maximum 6 marks: two fully explained reasons, 3 marks each.
