Bill recognising Richard Cromwell as Lord Protector introduced in the House of Commons

Historical Context Note

The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.2.1.04: English Writing and Culture of the Seventeenth Century, 1625-1688.
Vol. editors: Jennifer Brady (Rhodes College), Daniel Cook (University of Dundee), Neil Forsyth (Université de Lausanne), Claire Preston (Queen Mary, University of London), J A Roe (University of York), Virginia Mason Vaughan (Clark University)

Domains

Regulation of government and electoral processes

Dates

Date of occurrence 1659-02-01

Places

United Kingdom (Location)

Resources

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Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector, had died at Whitehall on 3 September 1658, after a resurgence of the malarial fever from which he had suffered intermittently since 1630s. According to the terms of the current constitutional arrangement, the

Humble Petition and Advice

, he could nominate his own successor, so his eldest surviving son, Richard, was quickly proclaimed Lord Protector. On 1 February 1659, a bill was brought before Parliament to confirm this de facto arrangement.

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