The Parliament of Saints 1653

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The Parliament of Saints 1653

Advantages

  • members attempted to secure trade routes by continuing war with the Dutch.
  • legal measures to help debtors were introduced.
  • regulations concerning the treatment of lunatics were introduced.
  • civil marriage was allowed officiated by JPs.
  • included members from Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, making it the first parliament to represent all of Britain.

Disadvantages

  • 'barebones parliament'- radical member Praise-God Barebone. most were lesser gentry, and conservative not interested in reform.
  • the 140 members were not just selected by the Independent Churches, as first suggested. the council of officers in the army added several names, including Cromwell and other generals.
  • there was a clear split between the radicals and conservatives. the landowners were upset at the prospect of abolishing tithes, as it was part of their income.

Evaluation

THE IMPACT OF THE RUMP: reforms to the law could not be agreed upon and the necessity to maintain a large standing army meant that the Rump failed. the army grew dissatisfied with the pace of reform and Cromwell closed the Rump down by force in April 1653.Fifth Monarchist, Major General Harrison, advised Cromwell to ask the various churches and radical groups to nominate an assembly of devout men to create a godly society. 

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