List of ordinances and acts of the Parliament of England, 1642–1660 facts for kids

This article is about the laws made in England between 1642 and 1660. This was a very important time in English history, known as the English Civil War and the Interregnum. During these years, England was often at war with itself, and for a while, it didn't have a king.

Normally, a new law (called an 'Act of Parliament') needed the King's approval, known as 'royal assent'. But during the Civil War, King Charles I of England and Parliament were fighting. So, Parliament started making laws without the King's approval. These laws were called 'ordinances'.

After King Charles I was executed in 1649, Parliament decided to call its laws 'acts' again. This showed that Parliament now believed it had the full power to make laws on its own. However, when the King returned in 1660 (this was called the English Restoration), all these ordinances and acts passed during this period were considered invalid because they didn't have the King's original approval.

Laws from 1642 to 1644

During the early years of the Civil War, Parliament passed many ordinances to help it fight the King.

Laws for the Army and Money

• Militia Ordinance (March 1642): This was a really important law. It gave Parliament control over the country's armed forces, the 'Trained Bands'. This was a big step towards war with the King.
• Laws for raising soldiers: Parliament needed soldiers! Many ordinances were passed to get volunteers or to 'impress' (force) men to join the army.
• Laws for money: Wars cost a lot! Parliament passed laws to raise money through:

* Asking people to lend money, plate (silverware), and horses. * 'Assessing' (taxing) people who hadn't contributed to the war effort. * Introducing 'Tonnage and Poundage', which were taxes on goods coming into or leaving the country. * Starting the 'Excise' tax (July 1643), which was a tax on goods made and sold within England, like beer and salt. * 'Sequestrating' (taking control of) the property of people who supported the King (called 'Delinquents') or who were Catholic ('Papists').

• Laws for injured soldiers: Parliament also made sure to create laws to help soldiers who were injured in the war, and to support the wives and children of those who died.

Controlling the Country

• Laws about the Church: Parliament started changing how the Church of England worked. For example, an ordinance in September 1643 ordered the removal of 'superstitious images' from churches and moving the Communion Tables.
• Laws about trade: Some laws controlled trade, like stopping the import of currants or allowing trade with certain ports.
• Laws about justice: Parliament tried to stop the King from moving the law courts to Oxford, and later made sure that judges and lawyers who supported Parliament took a special oath.
• Solemn League and Covenant (September 1643): This was an agreement with Scotland. Everyone holding a command under Parliament had to take this oath, promising to support Parliament and change the Church.
• Licensing Order of 1643 (June 1643): This law aimed to control what could be printed, trying to stop the spread of ideas that Parliament didn't like.
• Ordinance of no quarter to the Irish (October 1644): This harsh law meant that no mercy was to be shown to Irish people or Catholics born in Ireland who fought against Parliament.

Laws from 1645 to 1647

As the war continued, Parliament made more big changes.

Major Changes and the New Model Army

• Book of Common Prayer (January 1645): This traditional prayer book was officially removed, and a new 'Directory for the Public Worship of God' was put in its place.
• Archbishop Laud (January 1645): The Archbishop of Canterbury, William Laud, who was seen as a key supporter of the King and traditional church practices, was executed.
• New Model Army (February 1645): This was a huge change! Parliament created a new, professional army under Sir Thomas Fairfax. This army was well-trained and paid, and it played a big role in winning the war.
• Self-denying Ordinance (April 1645): This law said that members of Parliament could not also be military or civil officers. This meant that many powerful leaders had to choose between their political and military roles. Oliver Cromwell was an exception, as he was allowed to keep his military command.
• Abolishing the Court of Wards (February 1646): This court had been a way for the King to make money from the lands of young heirs. Parliament got rid of it.
• Abolishing Archbishops and Bishops (October 1646): Parliament completely got rid of the system of archbishops and bishops in the Church of England and started selling their lands.

Daily Life and Control

• Laws for soldiers: Many laws dealt with paying soldiers, preventing them from taking 'free quarter' (staying in people's homes without paying), and punishing those who deserted.
• Controlling London: Laws were passed to manage the militia (local defence forces) in London, search for people disloyal to Parliament, and even control what was printed.
• Holy Days (June 1647): Parliament abolished traditional holidays and replaced them with 'Days of Recreation'.
• Null and Void Ordinance (August 1647): This law cancelled all decisions made by Parliament during a short period when it felt it was under pressure from the army.
• Demolishing Forts (September 1647): The defensive walls and forts around London, built during the war, were ordered to be taken down.
• Suppressing Stage Plays (October 1647): Theatre performances were banned in London and surrounding areas.

Laws from 1648 to 1650

This period saw the execution of the King and the establishment of the Commonwealth.

The King's Trial and the Commonwealth

• High Court of Justice for the trial of Charles I (January 1649): This act set up the special court that tried King Charles I, leading to his execution.
• Prohibiting the Proclaiming of a King (January 1649): After the King's death, this act made it illegal to declare anyone else King of England or Ireland.
• Abolishing the Kingly Office (March 1649): This act officially got rid of the monarchy in England.
• Abolishing the House of Peers (March 1649): The House of Lords was also abolished, leaving only the House of Commons to govern.
• Declaring England a Commonwealth (May 1649): This was a landmark act, officially declaring England to be a 'Commonwealth and Free-State', meaning it was a republic ruled by the people's representatives.
• Council of State (February 1649): A new governing body, the Council of State, was created to manage the country's affairs.
• Abolishing Deans and Chapters (April 1649): More church lands were taken over, as the positions of deans and chapters (church officials) were abolished.

New Rules for a New Government

• New legal terms: Laws were passed to change old legal terms and forms to fit the new government.
• Treason laws: New laws defined what counted as treason against the Commonwealth.
• Money and trade: Assessments (taxes) continued to be raised for the army. Laws also dealt with customs, excise, and even prohibited importing French wines and goods.
• Navigation Acts (October 1651): This very important act aimed to boost English shipping by saying that goods imported into England had to be carried on English ships or ships from the country where the goods came from. This was a big step in England's trade policy.
• English Language in Law (November 1650): All legal documents and court proceedings were ordered to be in English, rather than Latin or French.

Laws from 1651 to 1655

This period saw more changes, including the rise of Oliver Cromwell and the Protectorate.

Cromwell and the Protectorate

• Oliver Cromwell as Commander-in-Chief (June 1650): After Fairfax resigned, Oliver Cromwell was appointed the main commander of all forces in England.
• Act for the Settlement of Ireland (August 1652): This act dealt with how Ireland would be governed and how land would be distributed after the wars there.
• General Pardon and Oblivion (February 1652): This act offered a general pardon to many people who had fought against Parliament, aiming to bring peace and stability.
• Instrument of Government (December 1653): This was a written constitution that set up the 'Protectorate', making Oliver Cromwell the 'Lord Protector' of England, Scotland, and Ireland. This was a big change from the Commonwealth.
• Uniting Scotland with England (April 1654): An ordinance was passed to officially unite Scotland with England into one Commonwealth.
• Ejecting Ministers (August 1654): Laws were made to remove ministers and schoolmasters who were considered 'scandalous, ignorant, or insufficient'.

Laws from 1656 to 1660

This final period before the return of the King saw attempts to stabilize the government under Cromwell and then a rapid shift back to monarchy.

Under the Protectorate and the Return of the King

• Security of the Lord Protector (November 1656): Laws were passed to protect Oliver Cromwell's position and ensure the country's peace.
• Court of Wards and Liveries Abolished (November 1656): This court, which had been temporarily abolished, was now permanently removed.
• Humble Petition and Advice (May 1657): This was a new constitution that offered Cromwell the crown (which he refused) and created a new 'Other House' (similar to the House of Lords).
• Forest Laws (June 1657): Laws were passed to make the strict 'Forest Laws' less harsh, especially in areas like the Forest of Dean.
• Preventing Multiplicity of Buildings (June 1657): An act tried to control the rapid growth of buildings in and around London.
• Punishing High Spenders (June 1657): A law aimed to punish people who lived very expensively but didn't seem to have enough money or a proper job.
• Abolishing Kingship (Repealed) (March 1660): As the monarchy was about to be restored, the acts that had abolished the kingly office and the House of Lords were repealed.
• Dissolving Parliament (March 1660): The Parliament that had been sitting since 1650 was dissolved, and a new Parliament was called to prepare for the return of King Charles II.

These laws show how much England changed during these years, from a monarchy to a republic and then to a Protectorate, before finally returning to a king.

See also

• Perfect Occurrences