The Commonwealth of England: A Transformative Period of Governance

The Establishment of the Commonwealth of England

The Commonwealth of England was established in the aftermath of the English Civil War, a transformative period in which the nation experimented with governance without a monarchy. Following the execution of King Charles I in 1649, the Commonwealth was proclaimed and endured until the monarchy was restored in 1660. Oliver Cromwell, a central figure in the Civil War, initially led the Commonwealth as a republic. However, his leadership eventually took on the characteristics of a military dictatorship, particularly after he became Lord Protector.

The Structure and Governance of the Commonwealth

Governed as a republic, the Commonwealth of England was intended to be a "Commonwealth and Free-State," with the Parliament and its appointees at the helm. The early years (1649-1653) were marked by attempts at democratic governance, but these were undermined by political instability and discord within Parliament. Oliver Cromwell, supported by the New Model Army, dissolved the Rump Parliament in 1653 and established the Protectorate, which concentrated power in his hands, resembling monarchical authority.

The Protectorate and the Instruments of Government

The Protectorate (1653-1658) saw Oliver Cromwell as Lord Protector, ruling under the Instruments of Government, England's first written constitution. This constitution established a system of governance involving the Lord Protector, a Parliament, and a Council of State. Despite the constitutional framework, Cromwell wielded considerable power, including the authority to dissolve Parliament, which he did when it challenged his policies.

Military Control and the Major-Generals

Cromwell's governance was characterized by a reliance on military authority, as evidenced by his appointment of Major-Generals to oversee the Commonwealth's regions. This military administration was met with resistance from Parliament, which feared the encroachment of military rule. The Major-Generals' regime was short-lived, and in 1657, the Humble Petition and Advice was introduced, further entrenching Cromwell's power and proposing the hereditary succession of the Lord Protectorship.

Religious Tolerance and Radical Groups

The Commonwealth era was notable for a certain level of religious tolerance, particularly in its early stages, which allowed various radical religious groups to flourish. These groups, which had emerged during the Civil War, advocated for religious freedom and established independent congregations. However, as the Protectorate became more established, radical factions like the Fifth Monarchists were increasingly seen as threats to security and were persecuted.

The Collapse of the Commonwealth and the Restoration of the Monarchy

The death of Oliver Cromwell in 1658 precipitated the decline of the Commonwealth. His son, Richard Cromwell, lacked the military prowess and political support to sustain the regime, leading to the collapse of the Protectorate. The Army, led by General George Monck, was instrumental in the Commonwealth's dissolution, marching on London, instigating a new Parliamentary election, and facilitating the return of the monarchy. In May 1660, Charles II was restored to the throne, marking the end of the Commonwealth and the beginning of the Restoration period.

The Legacy of the Commonwealth of England

The Commonwealth of England's legacy endures in its influence on later British political reforms, especially after the Glorious Revolution of 1688. The principles of parliamentary sovereignty, free elections, and freedom of speech within Parliament were cemented in British political tradition. It is important to distinguish the Commonwealth of England from the modern Commonwealth of Nations, a voluntary association of 54 countries that evolved from the British Empire, established in 1931 with different objectives and organizational structure.