British History 1649-53 Flashcards
When and what was the Anglo-Dutch war
1652-4
Cromwell’s aims ideally involved co-operation of Dutch, saw them as natural allies against Spanish.
They refused to join England in anti-Spanish crusade despite peace, stayed rivals.
1654 English-Portugal trade treaty hit Dutch trading interests
War started 1652, Dutch defied demand that they respect English republican flag by lowering theirs
Ended April 1654, series of naval Engagements
War turned against Dutch after death of Admiral Van Tromp
English victories led to blockading of Dutch Coast
Willing to make peace by 1653 due to heavy shipping losses
English
What were the main features of Cromwell’s foreign policy?
Anglo-Dutch war 1652-4 Baltic policy Western design and war against Spain Relations with France Colonial policy
What was the sealed knot?
Founded 1653 to coordinate royalist opposition
Men of substance who were threatened with thought of losing estates
6 members, in royalist forces during civil war
Discouraged uprising as failure would discredit royalist cause
Waited for conflict to break out as restoration would be more acceptable
What ground caused division
civilian cromwellians/ Presbyterians commonwealthsmen/ republicans junior officers army grandees Monck- created separate army from NMA Quakers Charles Stuart
Why and when did Cromwell forcibly dissolve the Rump?
1653
Cromwell appeared to have wanted it to succeed
Outraged by rumps failure to live up to his expectations of it
Dragged its feet about setting date for dissolution
Planned to hold elections that would allow existing members to retain their seats
What was the nominated assembly
General Harrison wanted an assembly of the godly
It promised to usher in the second coming and rule of the saints
Cromwell left them alone, declined his seat
Made up of 140 godly men chosen by army officers
Why was the nominated assembly dissolved?
Radicals overturned committee report to retain tithes, alarmed moderates
While radicals were at prayer meeting moderates voted to return powers to Cromwell
What reforms did the nominated assembly make?
Establish civil marriages being performed by justice of peace rather than cleric
Compulsory registration of births/deaths/marriages
Relief of impoverished creditors
Protection for lunatics and their estates
Sterner measures against thieves/highwaymen
What new legislation regarding religion was passed 1649-53?
Toleration act 1650 abolishing compulsory attendance in parish churches
Acts against swearing/adultery etc
Act for propagation of gospel in Wales, Ireland and parts of England
Who was most to blame for failure to reach settlement
Charles, he held out signing things for as long as he could showing a lack of desire for settlement as parliament attempted to make terms of settlement.
People lost patience with him as new model army did in 1648.
Pretended to want a settlement but signed engagement with scots in 1647 basically inviting them to kill his own people. This caused parliament to unite with a common goal not weaken them.
Infuriated the army and showed he was disloyal and untrustworthy.
What did Cromwell do in Ireland 1649
Commissioned to put down Irish rising
Landed at Dublin with 12,000 men
Outnumbered by Irish forced but better disciplined and kept regularly supplied
What happened at drogheda and Wexford?
Cromwell bloody sieges
Secured English army’s control of north of Ireland
Occupants offered quarter if they surrendered but many refused so were killed
Cromwell gave Wexford death toll as 2,000
Historians argue over whether or not Cromwell kept within the rules of warfare
What did Charles II do?
March into England with a force of 12,000 to inspire a royalist uprising but this was not the case
Defeated by Cromwell on the anniversary of Dunbar 1651
Charles went into exile for 9 years
What and when was the instrument of government
1653
Britain’s first written constitution
Single person rule as an executive with limited power
State church with freedom of worship except Catholics
When did Cromwell die
1658
