First Protectorate Parliament

The First Protectorate Parliament was summoned by the Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell under the terms of the Instrument of Government. It sat for one term from 3 September 1654 until 22 January 1655 with William Lenthall as the Speaker of the House.

Related Topics:
Lord Protector - Oliver Cromwell - Instrument of Government - 3 September - 1654 - 22 January - 1655 - William Lenthall - Speaker of the House

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During the first nine months of The Protectorate Cromwell, with the aid of the Council of State, had drawn up a list of 84 bills to present to Parliament for ratification. But the members of Parliament had their own and their constituents' interests to promote and in the end not enough of them would agree to work with Cromwell, or to sign a declaration of their acceptance of the Instrument of Government, to make the constitutional arrangements in the Instrument of Government work. Cromwell dissolved the Parliament as soon as it was allowed under the terms of the Instrument of Government, having failed to get any of the 84 bills passed.

Related Topics:
The Protectorate - Council of State

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The Instrument of Government specified the numbers of MPs that boroughs and counties sent to the Parliament. This saw rotten boroughs abolished. It also made provision for members from Jersey and Guernsey.

Related Topics:
Rotten borough - Jersey - Guernsey

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The First Protectorate Parliament was preceded by the Barebones Parliament and succeeded by the Second Protectorate Parliament.

Related Topics:
Barebones Parliament - Second Protectorate Parliament

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