Barebones Parliament

Barebones Parliament, (July 4–Dec. 12, 1653), a hand-picked legislative group of “godly” men convened by Oliver Cromwell following the Puritan victory in the English Civil Wars. Its name was derived from one of its obscure members, Praise-God Barbon.

After Cromwell expelled the Rump Parliament (April 20, 1653), he prompted the army council to dispatch letters to the Congregational churches inviting suggestions of fit persons to sit in a new assembly. From the names submitted, the council chose 140 members—129 for England, 5 for Scotland, and 6 for Ireland. On July 4 the delegates met, assuming by a resolution of July 6 the name of Parliament. The zeal of this Nominated Parliament for reform, however, threatened to confuse rather than settle the war-weary nation. On December 12, conservative members of the Parliament accused their radical opponents of destroying the clergy, the law, and the property of the subject and, by a surprise motion, resolved upon the abdication of the Parliament. The majority thereupon waited on Cromwell and laid their resignation before him, while the recalcitrant minority was expelled from the house by the military. On the following day, General John Lambert produced the “Instrument of Government,” which after two days’ discussion established the system of Protectorate government that lasted until May 1657.