Parliament of the Saints

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The Parliament of the saints ( Parliament of Saints ), even Appointed Assembly ( Nominated Assembly ) or Barebone's Parliament , was a short-lived legislative assembly during the by Oliver Cromwell led Republic of England (1649-1660). It existed from July 4th to December 12th 1653. It was called “Parliament of the Saints” because of its decidedly religious composition and purpose, “Appointed Assembly” because it was not established by election, “Barebones Parliament” with ironic reference to Praise-God Barebone MP , a London leather dealer and preacher.

Convocation

After the failure and dissolution of the rump parliament by Cromwell, the republic was without a legislative body. Cromwell and the military rejected a free election because it would have brought forces loyal to the kings or pro-kings back into the assembly. As an alternative, General John Lambert proposed a small advisory and decision-making body, while Fifth Monarchy Men leader General Thomas Harrison sought a gathering of 70 pious men along the lines of the biblical Sanhedrin - in preparation for Christ's millennial world domination . Cromwell took up this idea, but doubled the membership to 140 to allow adequate representation of all parts of the country. The election of the deputies took place in the course of May by the officers' council and the council of state, whereby suggestions from the end-time congregations in the country that reject the state church were considered. The “radical” group of the Fifth Monarchy Men , however, only had about 12 to 14 MPs. Only a third of the assembly came from the traditionally ruling class, the rest were mostly small country nobles , but also urban traders and craftsmen. The congregation met for the first time on July 4th. On July 12, it declared itself a " parliament " - against the intentions of Cromwell, who had understood it as a constituent assembly .

Advice and decisions

The work of the Parliament of the Saints was marked by the contrast between moderate and radical religious tendencies. The most important decisions included the regulation of civil marriage and the state registration of all births and deaths, protection provisions for the mentally ill and the release of prisoners . The meeting split over the question of church tithe and noble church patronage .

resolution

On the morning of December 12, 1653, the moderate MPs met in the absence and knowledge of the radicals and resolved to return to them the powers conferred on them by Cromwell. About 40 of them went to Cromwell's residence in Whitehall and announced their resignation. About 80 signed the relevant document over the next few days. Thirty remaining radical MPs were dispersed by army soldiers.

As a result of the failure, Cromwell assumed the title and authority of Lord Protector .

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