The Protectorate

Abstract

Cromwell’s victory over those who opposed him was so great that he not only succeded in eliminating Barebone’s Parliament but secured a new constitution of his own liking to replace it. The Instrument of Government was the first and only written constitution in England’s history to be put into practice. Many constitutions, schemes, or plans of government had been devised in the preceding decade but this one had the essential backing of the Lord General and the army officers, as well as the support of many of the more influential personages of the land. The unhappy experience with the Nominated Parliament had convinced Cromwell that the dream of allowing the nation to provide for its own government by means of a semi-representative assembly was really more like a nightmare. Even an assembly whose members had been all but hand picked had proven totally unworkable. At least the work that it was willing to do met with the strong opposition of those who held the actual reins of power.