republic · British Isles

The Protectorate

1653 CE – 1659 CE · capital London

The phase of the English republic in which Oliver Cromwell, and briefly his son Richard, ruled as Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland.

Origins

In December 1653, after the failure of Barebone's Parliament, army officers drew up the Instrument of Government, Britain's first written constitution, which made Oliver Cromwell Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland, with a Council of State and Parliament.

Rule and society

Cromwell governed with mixed success: he quarrelled with his Parliaments, divided the country under the Major-Generals in 1655 to 1657 and refused the crown in 1657, accepting instead the Humble Petition and Advice. Abroad, the Protectorate made peace with the Dutch, fought Spain and seized Jamaica in 1655. Jews were informally allowed to resettle in England from 1656.

Decline and legacy

Oliver died in September 1658 and was succeeded by his son Richard, who lacked army support and resigned in May 1659. The Commonwealth of England was restored briefly before the Restoration of 1660.

Lineage

Commonwealth of England 1649 CE – 1660 CEThe ProtectorateCommonwealth of England 1649 CE – 1660 CE

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Cite this page
APA
The Epoch Institute. (2026). The Protectorate. In The Epoch Institute States Register. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/the-protectorate
MLA
“The Protectorate.” The Epoch Institute States Register, The Epoch Institute, 2026, https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/the-protectorate. Accessed .
Chicago
The Epoch Institute. “The Protectorate.” The Epoch Institute States Register. 2026. https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/the-protectorate.
Harvard
The Epoch Institute (2026) ‘The Protectorate’, The Epoch Institute States Register. Available at: https://the-epoch-institute.org/state/the-protectorate (Accessed: ).

Last reviewed October 2026Random state ↻