Long Parliament

Long Parliament
Sodacan · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Long Parliament
Legislature	Parliament of England
Term start	1640
Term end	1660
Election	1640 English general election
Preceding	Short Parliament
Succeeding	Convention Parliament

Long Parliament. The Long Parliament, which sat from 1640 to 1660, was a pivotal period in English history, marked by significant events and figures, including Oliver Cromwell, John Pym, and King Charles I. This period was characterized by the English Civil War, which involved the New Model Army, Royalist supporters, and Parliamentarian forces. The Long Parliament played a crucial role in shaping the Constitution of the United Kingdom, with influences from Magna Carta, Petition of Right, and the Triennial Act.

Introduction

The Long Parliament was a transformative period in British history, with key events and legislation that continue to impact English law and politics. Notable figures, such as John Hampden, Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon, and Thomas Fairfax, played important roles in shaping the parliament's agenda. The Long Parliament's interactions with the House of Lords and the House of Commons were significant, as they navigated issues like ship money, tonnage and poundage, and the Star Chamber. Influential works, such as Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes and Areopagitica by John Milton, reflected the intellectual and philosophical debates of the time.

Background and Formation

The Long Parliament was formed in 1640, following the Short Parliament, which was dissolved by King Charles I after only a few weeks. The new parliament was elected in response to the Bishops' Wars, which had created a financial crisis for the Crown. Key figures, including John Pym and Oliver Cromwell, were instrumental in shaping the parliament's agenda, which included addressing grievances against the monarchy and the Church of England. The Root and Branch petition, presented to the parliament in 1640, called for significant reforms to the Church of England, while the Grand Remonstrance, presented in 1641, outlined the parliament's grievances against the Crown. Notable events, such as the Execution of Charles I and the Trial of Charles I, were influenced by the Rump Parliament and the Council of State.

Key Events and Legislation

The Long Parliament was marked by several key events and legislation, including the Triennial Act, which required the parliament to meet at least once every three years, and the Act for the Abolition of the Court of Star Chamber, which abolished the Star Chamber and other prerogative courts. The Act for the Prevention of Innovations and the Root and Branch Bill aimed to reform the Church of England, while the Self-denying Ordinance and the New Model Army played crucial roles in the English Civil War. Influential figures, such as Robert Blake, George Monck, and John Lambert, contributed to the parliament's military efforts, which included the Battle of Naseby, the Battle of Marston Moor, and the Siege of Oxford. The Treaty of Uxbridge and the Treaty of Newport were significant attempts to negotiate a peace settlement between the Royalists and the Parliamentarians.

Relationship with the Monarchy

The Long Parliament's relationship with the monarchy was complex and often contentious, with key figures, such as King Charles I and King Charles II, playing important roles in shaping the parliament's agenda. The Execution of Charles I in 1649 marked a significant turning point in the relationship between the parliament and the monarchy, leading to the establishment of a republic in England, Scotland and Ireland. The Instrument of Government, adopted in 1653, established a new constitutional framework for the Commonwealth of England, with Oliver Cromwell as Lord Protector. The Humble Petition and Advice, presented to Oliver Cromwell in 1657, aimed to establish a new constitutional settlement, but ultimately failed to resolve the tensions between the parliament and the Lord Protector.

Conclusion and Legacy

The Long Parliament's legacy continues to shape British politics and English law, with its influence evident in the Glorious Revolution, the Bill of Rights 1689, and the Act of Settlement 1701. Notable figures, such as John Locke, Edmund Burke, and Winston Churchill, have drawn on the Long Parliament's experiences and ideas in their own writings and speeches. The Long Parliament's interactions with the House of Lords and the House of Commons continue to inform parliamentary procedure and constitutional law in the United Kingdom. The English Civil War and the Commonwealth of England remain significant topics of study and debate among historians, including Christopher Hill, Perez Zagorin, and Mark Kishlansky. Category:17th-century English parliaments