1. Settlement
a) What did Cromwell mean by ‘settlement’?
A government that is as similar as possible to a traditional, conservative one.
b) Why did he want a ‘settlement’?
In an effort to gain support for the Protectorate and avoid more conflict, remembering vividly the
horrors of the Civil War.
c) What does this tell us about his aims?
They were arguably honest, as he wanted peace in the country, but the success of a ‘settlement’, and
in turn the Protectorate, also meant he had a large amount of power as Lord Protector.
2. Reformation
a) What did Cromwell mean by ‘Reformation’?
He never spelled it out clearly, but main themes are a concern for social justice and a yearning for a
godly ‘reformation of manners’
Social justice: he believed that the rich, as well as having rightful privileges, also had responsibilities
to care for those less well-off than themselves.
Godly Reformation: Cromwell envisaged and that there should be little state control over people’s
religious beliefs, this of course did not mean all beliefs were to be allowed, but it was a far more
tolerant outlook than previously.
b) Why did he want ‘Reformation’?
He truly believed it would lead to an improved, holy society for the good of the people.
c) What does this tell us about his aims?
Despite the fact that abandoning these principals would have granted him more political support, and
therefore power, he did not, showing that he was doing what he thought would benefit the country
most.
3. What were the reasons for:
a) the failure of Cromwell's parliaments?
The MPs hated the army as well as the idea of religious liberty, which Cromwell fiercely stood by,
and the resentment from the excluded MPs who formed the Rump as they rejected the Instrument of
Government.
b) the appointment of the Major-Generals?
Worries surrounding security after the Royalist Penruddock Rising but also Cromwell’s passion for
‘reformation’, as he instructed the major-generals to punish drunkenness, blasphemy, swearing and
adultery as well as supress game houses, alehouses and brothels.
c) Cromwell's refusal of the crown?
Cromwell was afraid of losing the support of the army if he took the crown, he did not want to give
too much influence to civilian advisers who didn’t support his ‘reformation’ and acceptance of the
kingship be seen as a sign of his own sin of pride, ambition and self-advancement in the eyes of God
