The Commonwealth
History: KS3, topic 10.4.1
The Commonwealth
After Charles I was executed, England was declared a Commonwealth. The Commonwealth was run by Parliament and later Oliver Cromwell.
A republic
- As England no longer had a monarchy, the country was a republic.
Ruling the Commonwealth
- Between 1649 AD and 1653 AD, the Commonwealth was ruled by Parliament.
- This was called the ‘Rump’ Parliament.
- In 1653 AD, Parliament was dismissed by Oliver Cromwell.
- Parliament could not agree on how to run England.
- Cromwell began to rule the Commonwealth as the ‘Protector’. This period was called the ‘Protectorate’.
Test yourself on The Commonwealth
What do you call a country with no monarchy?
Who dismissed Parliament in 1653?
What was Cromwell's title as ruler of England?