Commonwealth of England

Historical Background

The Commonwealth of England, which existed from 1649 to 1660, was a political structure that marked a unique period in the history of England. During this time, England was a republic, following the end of the English Civil War and the execution of King Charles I.

The English Civil War

The English Civil War (1642–1651) was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians ("Roundheads") and Royalists ("Cavaliers"). The war ended with the Parliamentarian victory at the Battle of Worcester on 3 September 1651.

The Commonwealth

The Commonwealth was declared on 19 May 1649. Some people welcomed it as a republic, while others saw it as a military dictatorship, led by Oliver Cromwell and the New Model Army.

Government Structure

The Commonwealth was governed by a Council of State, which was appointed by the Rump Parliament and later by the Barebones Parliament and the First and Second Protectorate Parliaments. The Council of State was responsible for foreign policy and administration of the Commonwealth.

The Protectorate

In December 1653, Oliver Cromwell became Lord Protector of the Commonwealth. This marked the start of The Protectorate, which lasted until 1659. During this period, the country was ruled as a de facto monarchy, with Cromwell given powers akin to those of a monarch.

End of the Commonwealth

The Commonwealth ended with the restoration of the monarchy in May 1660, when Charles II was invited to return from exile.

Legacy

The Commonwealth period had a lasting impact on the political, religious and social landscape of England. It marked the first and only time that England was officially a republic.