OCR · GCSE · History
Course version: J410 · Version from Mar 2026
Relationship between Rump Parliament and Cromwell 1649–1653; relationship…
Full specification wording
Personal Rule to Restoration 1629–1660 (J410/13) - The nature and extent of political and religious change 1649–c.1660: Relationship between Rump Parliament and Cromwell 1649–1653; relationship between Parliament and Cromwell 1653–1658, including the Instrument of Government and rule of the Major Generals; Humble Petition and Advice, and Cromwell’s response; attempts to reach a settlement September 1658 – April 1660; restoration of the monarchy, including the terms of Restoration c.1660.
This topic traces how power was shared, contested and finally handed back between 1649 and 1660.
Checked against the OCR J410 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
This topic traces how power was shared, contested and finally handed back between 1649 and 1660. After Charles I's execution the Rump Parliament governed while Cromwell led the army; tension grew until Cromwell expelled the Rump in 1653. Under the Instrument of Government Cromwell became Lord Protector, sharing authority with a Council and Parliament, and in 1655–1656 the country was divided into districts run by Major Generals. The Humble Petition and Advice (1657) offered Cromwell the crown, which he refused, though he accepted a revised constitution. After Cromwell died in September 1658, his son Richard and successive parliaments and army groups tried to reach a settlement until April 1660, when the monarchy was restored with terms set out around Charles II's return.
What earns the marks
- Identifies that the Rump Parliament governed after 1649 while Cromwell relied on the army for power.
- Explains that Cromwell expelled the Rump Parliament in 1653, ending that partnership.
- States that the Instrument of Government of 1653 made Cromwell Lord Protector with a Council and Parliament.
- Describes the rule of the Major Generals in 1655–1656 as districts governed by army officers.
- Recalls that the Humble Petition and Advice offered Cromwell the crown, which he declined.
- Outlines the attempts at settlement between September 1658 and April 1660 after Cromwell's death.
- Identifies that the monarchy was restored around 1660 with terms agreed for Charles II's return.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confuses the Rump Parliament with the later Protectorate Parliaments.
Put it right: Keep the 1649–1653 body distinct from those summoned under the Instrument of Government.
Claims Cromwell accepted the crown under the Humble Petition and Advice.
Put it right: He refused it.
Dates the restoration to 1658.
Put it right: Place it at c.1660 after the settlement attempts that followed Cromwell's death.
Exam tips
- Learn the key dates 1653, 1657, 1658 and 1660 and attach one event to each.
- Distinguish the Instrument of Government from the Humble Petition and Advice by their year and purpose.
- Read each option fully before choosing, since distractors often swap Cromwell's acceptance and refusal.
Try the lesson
The start of the Personal Rule to Restoration 1629–1660 (J410/13) - The nature and extent of political and religious change 1649–c.1660: Relationship between Rump Parliament and Cromwell 1649–1653; relationship between Parliament and Cromwell 1653–1658, including the Instrument of Government and rule of the Major Generals; Humble Petition and Advice, and Cromwell’s response; attempts to reach a settlement September 1658 – April 1660; restoration of the monarchy, including the terms of Restoration c.1660. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
In April 1653, how did Cromwell end the Rump Parliament?
Listen
This topic traces how power was shared, contested and finally handed back between 1649 and 1660. After Charles I's execution the Rump Parliament governed while Cromwell led the army; tension grew until Cromwell expelled the Rump in 1653. Under the Instrument of Government Cromwell became Lord Protector, sharing authority with a Council and Parliament, and in 1655–1656 the country was divided into districts run by Major Generals. The Humble Petition and Advice (1657) offered Cromwell the crown, which he refused, though he accepted a revised constitution. After Cromwell died in September 1658, his son Richard and successive parliaments and army groups tried to reach a settlement until April 1660, when the monarchy was restored with terms set out around Charles II's return. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Identifies that the Rump Parliament governed after 1649 while Cromwell relied on the army for power. Explains that Cromwell expelled the Rump Parliament in 1653, ending that partnership. States that the Instrument of Government of 1653 made Cromwell Lord Protector with a Council and Parliament. Describes the rule of the Major Generals in 1655–1656 as districts governed by army officers. Exam tip: Learn the key dates 1653, 1657, 1658 and 1660 and attach one event to each.
Put the events in order
Put these events in the order they happened, earliest first.
- 1. Cromwell expelled the Rump Parliament
- 2. Monarchy restored with terms for Charles II's return
- 3. Humble Petition and Advice offered Cromwell the crown
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Parliament and army power
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
The Protectorate constitutions
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Rule of the Major Generals
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Parliament and army power
- The Rump Parliament governed after 1649 while Cromwell relied on the army for power, until he expelled the Rump in 1653.
- The Protectorate constitutions
- The Instrument of Government of 1653 made Cromwell Lord Protector with a Council and Parliament, and the Humble Petition and Advice offered him the crown, which he refused.
- Rule of the Major Generals
- In 1655–1656 the country was divided into districts run by Major Generals, who were army officers.
There is more to this lesson
The full lesson goes on to check your understanding and help you earn the marks. Create a free account to carry on, with your progress saved.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge
Test your understanding of Personal Rule to Restoration 1629–1660 (J410/13) - The nature and extent of political and religious change 1649–c.1660: Relationship between Rump Parliament and Cromwell 1649–1653; relationship between Parliament and Cromwell 1653–1658, including the Instrument of Government and rule of the Major Generals; Humble Petition and Advice, and Cromwell’s response; attempts to reach a settlement September 1658 – April 1660; restoration of the monarchy, including the terms of Restoration c.1660.
Active recall beats re-reading. Take an instant quiz now to test what you’ve learned and lock it into long-term memory.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge