Commonwealth of England was the name given to England when it became a republic after the execution of King Charles I in 1649. The monarchy and the House of Lords were abolished, and the country was ruled by a committee of Parliament. However, the Commonwealth could not secure the loyalty of the English people. In 1653, Oliver Cromwell, who had led the parliamentary forces against the king’s supporters, dissolved Parliament and ended the Commonwealth. Cromwell then ruled under the Instrument of Government, a document prepared by his military officers. The document made England a dictatorship called the Protectorate, with Cromwell ruling as lord protector. See also Cromwell, Oliver; English Civil War.
