Parliaments and Politics during the Cromwellian Protectorate

David L. Smith is Fellow and Director of Studies in History at Selwyn College, Cambridge. Patrick Little is Senior Research Fellow at the History of Parliament Trust, London.

• 1. Introduction: historiography and sources; 2. Parliament and the paper constitutions; 3. Elections; 4. Exclusions; 5. Factional politics and parliamentary management; 6. Oliver Cromwell and Parliaments; 7. Richard Cromwell and Parliaments; 8. Law reform, judicature and the Other House; 9. Religious reform; 10. Representation and taxation in England and Wales; 11. Parliament and foreign policy; 12. Irish and Scottish affairs; 13. Conclusion; Appendix 1. Members excluded from the Second Protectorate Parliament; Appendix 2. The Remonstrance of 23 February 1657.

Review of the hardback: 'The authors offer clear, crisp and fresh images of the parliaments, built upon detailed analysis and impressive new research … This excellent volume marks a huge step forward in placing them more firmly and more positively on the historical map.' BBC History Magazine