The Long Parliament: A Quarter-Century of Tumult and Transformation

In the tumultuous landscape of 17th-century England, few political bodies left as indelible a mark as the Long Parliament. Convening on 3 November 1640, it would surprisingly endure—in various forms—for two decades until 1660, a period defined by civil war, regicide, and the eventual return of the monarchy. Its very existence was a testament to the escalating tensions between the Crown and Parliament.

A King's Desperation: The Genesis of the Long Parliament

The stage for this monumental assembly was set by the preceding Short Parliament, an ill-fated gathering that lasted a mere three weeks in the spring of 1640. This brief session had been the first parliamentary meeting in 11 years, following King Charles I’s long period of personal rule. Desperate for funds to finance his costly Bishops' Wars against the Scots—a conflict sparked by his attempts to impose Anglican religious practices on Presbyterian Scotland—Charles I reluctantly issued writs in September 1640 for a new parliament. He hoped for a quick passage of financial bills, but what he got instead was a body that would fundamentally challenge royal authority.

The Enduring Assembly: Why "Long"?

The Long Parliament earned its distinctive name not just from its protracted existence, but from a revolutionary act of self-preservation. Early in its tenure, its members passed legislation stipulating that the Parliament could only be dissolved with their own consent. This unprecedented move provided a bulwark against royal prerogative, ensuring its continuity through the seismic shifts of the English Civil War and the subsequent Interregnum, the period when England was a republic without a king. Indeed, its members would not finally agree to its dissolution until 16 March 1660, making it one of the longest-serving parliaments in English history.

From Purge to Rump: Shifting Power Dynamics

Initially, the Long Parliament sat actively from 1640 until 1648. However, its composition and power were dramatically altered towards the end of the English Civil War. In December 1648, a military coup known as Pride's Purge saw elements of the New Model Army, Parliament's own professional military force, forcibly remove members deemed unsympathetic to their radical agenda. The remaining handful of members of the House of Commons, largely supporters of Oliver Cromwell and the Army's aims, became infamously known as the Rump Parliament. This truncated body was responsible for the trial and execution of King Charles I in January 1649.

The Rump Parliament itself didn't last indefinitely. In April 1653, fed up with its perceived inefficiency and reluctance to implement further reforms, Oliver Cromwell—then Lord Protector of the Commonwealth—forcefully disbanded it. For the next several years, England experimented with a succession of nominated and elected parliaments under Cromwell's protectorate.

The Return and Final Dissolution: Paving the Way for Restoration

Following Cromwell's death in September 1658, a period of political instability and chaos ensued. In May 1659, the Rump Parliament was dramatically reinstalled, reflecting the desperate search for legitimate governance. However, the tide was turning towards a restoration of the monarchy. In February 1660, General George Monck, a key military figure, orchestrated a pivotal move: he allowed the members who had been barred during Pride's Purge in 1648 to retake their seats. This effectively reconstituted the Long Parliament to its pre-purge numbers and political diversity.

With a more representative body, the path was cleared for crucial legislation. These reinstated members, often moderates and Royalist sympathizers, passed the necessary acts to facilitate the Restoration of the monarchy and, finally, to agree to the Long Parliament's own dissolution on 16 March 1660. This monumental decision cleared the way for a newly elected assembly, aptly named the Convention Parliament.

Not all agreed with the legality of this final act. Prominent republican figures like Sir Henry Vane the Younger and General Edmond Ludlow, who had been excluded from these final proceedings, loudly claimed the parliament was not legally dissolved. They viewed the final votes as a "device" or "conspiracy" orchestrated by General Monck to ensure the swift return of King Charles II. Monck, for his part, was richly rewarded for his instrumental role, receiving a dukedom.

A Legacy of Liberty: The Long Parliament in Historical Context

The Long Parliament cemented its place as a cornerstone in Whig histories of the 17th century, particularly among those who championed parliamentary sovereignty and constitutional government. American Whig historian Charles Wentworth Upham, for example, lauded its members as "a set of the greatest geniuses for government that the world ever saw embarked together in one common cause." He believed their actions not only made their country "the wonder and admiration of the world" at the time, but also laid foundational republican principles that he saw as a direct precursor to the American Revolutionary War and the broader advancement of popular liberty worldwide.

The Convention Parliament: Rebuilding a Nation

Following the self-dissolution of the Long Parliament, England urgently needed a new political body to navigate the transition back to monarchy. This critical role fell to the Convention Parliament, which sat from 25 April to 29 December 1660. Elected as a "free parliament"—meaning its members were not required to swear allegiance to either the fading Commonwealth or the incoming monarchy—it soon revealed a strong Royalist majority, eager to welcome Charles II.

Proclamation and Preparation: The Return of Charles II

The Convention Parliament assembled for the first time on 25 April 1660. Its most significant act came swiftly after receiving the Declaration of Breda, King Charles II's manifesto outlining his terms for returning to England. On 8 May, Parliament formally proclaimed that King Charles II had been the lawful monarch since the execution of his father, Charles I, in January 1649. With the monarchy officially restored, the Convention Parliament then embarked on the arduous task of preparing for the Restoration Settlement, addressing crucial issues such as land ownership disputes and establishing the financial provisions necessary for the new royal government to function effectively.

Reconciliation and Justice: The Indemnity and Oblivion Act

A key challenge for the Convention Parliament was to balance justice with the need for national reconciliation after years of civil war and republican rule. This was largely addressed by the Indemnity and Oblivion Act, which became law on 29 August 1660. This landmark legislation offered a general pardon for most crimes committed during the Interregnum, aiming to draw a line under past grievances and prevent widespread reprisals against those who had supported the Commonwealth. However, it explicitly excluded those directly involved in the trial and execution of Charles I—the "regicides"—who faced severe punishment.

A New Era: Dissolution and Succession

Having successfully overseen the return of the monarchy and laid the groundwork for the Restoration, the Convention Parliament fulfilled its crucial mission. King Charles II dissolved it on 29 December 1660. The following year, a new parliament, predominantly Royalist and fiercely loyal to the Crown, was elected in May 1661. This body, known as the Cavalier Parliament, would then systematically work to dismantle much of the legislation and many of the institutions introduced during the Interregnum, while simultaneously confirming the essential acts passed by the Convention Parliament, thereby solidifying the restored monarchy's authority.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Long and Convention Parliaments

What was the Long Parliament?

The Long Parliament was an English Parliament that sat, in various forms, from 1640 to 1660. It played a central role in the run-up to and during the English Civil War, challenging royal authority and ultimately overseeing the execution of King Charles I.

Why was it called the "Long Parliament"?

It earned its name because, by its own act, it could only be dissolved with the consent of its members. They did not agree to its dissolution until 16 March 1660, making it exceptionally long-lived compared to previous parliaments.

What was the Short Parliament?

The Short Parliament was a brief English Parliament that met for only three weeks in the spring of 1640. It was called by King Charles I primarily to raise funds for the Bishops' Wars, but it refused to grant subsidies until grievances were addressed, leading to its swift dissolution.

What was the Rump Parliament?

The Rump Parliament was the remnant of the Long Parliament after Pride's Purge in December 1648. Only members sympathetic to the New Model Army and Oliver Cromwell were allowed to remain, forming a smaller, more radical body that oversaw the trial and execution of Charles I.

How did the Long Parliament finally end?

It was formally dissolved on 16 March 1660, after General George Monck allowed previously excluded members to return, creating a more moderate body that could pass legislation for the Restoration of the monarchy and consent to its own dissolution.

What was the Convention Parliament?

The Convention Parliament was an English Parliament that sat from April to December 1660. It was tasked with managing the immediate aftermath of the Interregnum and formally inviting King Charles II back to the throne, thus initiating the Restoration.

What was the Declaration of Breda?

The Declaration of Breda was a proclamation issued by King Charles II in April 1660, offering a general pardon for past acts (except for regicides), religious toleration, and arrears of pay for the army, in exchange for his peaceful return to the throne. It paved the way for the Restoration.

What was the Indemnity and Oblivion Act?

Passed by the Convention Parliament in August 1660, this act granted a broad pardon for those who had committed crimes during the Civil War and Interregnum, aiming to promote reconciliation. However, it specifically excluded those directly involved in the execution of King Charles I.