Protectorate Constitution

Timeline

1. 1653Westminster Hall · LondonThe Instrument of Government, drafted by the Army Council and introduced by General Lambert, was promulgated after approval by the Council of State. It provided that the Protector be chosen by the Council of State rather than by heredity, that Parliament meet every three years, and that legislative power be shared between Protector and Parliament. Cromwell was installed as first Protector in Westminster Hall, ending the chaos of the preceding 'Rump Parliament'.
2. 1654–1655Palace of Westminster · LondonOn 3 September 1654 the First Protectorate Parliament opened at Westminster. Many members were republicans who questioned the broad powers granted to the Protector by the Instrument of Government, especially his independent control of the army. Parliament began revising constitutional clauses to curtail Protectoral power.
3. 1654Palace of Westminster · LondonAfter Parliament opened, Cromwell locked the doors and required all members to sign a 'Recognition' accepting the fundamental principles of the Instrument of Government; those who refused were shut out. About 100 members refused and left, seriously undermining the legitimacy of the Protectorate and exposing the irreconcilable conflict between the constitution and parliamentary sovereignty.