The Commonwealth of England was the republican government which ruled first England and then Ireland and Scotland from 1649 to 1660. After the execution of Charles I on January 30, 1649, the Commonwealth was declared (An Act declaring England to be a Commonwealth) by the Rump Parliament on May 19, 1649. The government during 1653 to 1659 is properly called The Protectorate, and took the form of direct personal rule by Oliver Cromwell and, after his death, his son Richard, as Lord Protector. The term Commonwealth is, however, loosely used to describe the system of government during the whole of 1649 to 1660, the years of the English Interregnum.
Commonwealth of England
Questions and Answers
Q: What is the Commonwealth of England?
A: The Commonwealth of England was the republican government that ruled England from 1649 to 1660.
Q: When was the Commonwealth declared?
A: The Commonwealth was declared on May 19, 1649, by the Rump Parliament.
Q: What event led to the declaration of the Commonwealth?
A: The execution of Charles I on January 30, 1649, led to the declaration of the Commonwealth.
Q: What is the Protectorate?
A: The Protectorate was the government during 1653 to 1659, which took the form of direct personal rule by Oliver Cromwell and his son Richard as Lord Protector.
Q: Why is the term Commonwealth loosely used?
A: The term Commonwealth is loosely used to describe the system of government during the entirety of the English Interregnum from 1649 to 1660.
Q: Who ruled during the Protectorate?
A: Oliver Cromwell and his son Richard ruled during the Protectorate.
Q: How did the government of the Commonwealth take shape during 1653-1659?
A: The government during 1653-1659 took the form of direct personal rule by Oliver Cromwell and his son Richard, as Lord Protector.