The Instrument of Government and the Creation of the Protectorate

Britain – Oliver Cromwell, 1653-58

In this course, Dr David Smith (University of Cambridge) explores the life of Oliver Cromwell during the period when he was Lord Protector, from 1653-1658. We begin by thinking about the creation of the Protectorate in 1653, focusing in particular on Cromwell’s installation as Lord Protector, before moving on in the second module to exploring Cromwell’s relationship with the First Protectorate Parliament. After that, we think about the unsuccessful experiment of the ‘Major-Generals’ between 1655-57 in module three and the offer of the kingship to Cromwell by the Second Protectorate Parliament in module four. In the final module, we consider the last months of the Protectorate and examine the events leading up to und following Cromwell’s death in 1658.

The Instrument of Government and the Creation of the Protectorate

In this module, we think about the ‘Instrument of Government’, England’s first written constitution, and the establishment of the Protectorate, with particular focus on Oliver Cromwell’s instalment as Lord Protector in December 1653.