By the Rev. J. Ward. 301 



A.D. 



After the murder of King Charles the First on the 30th 

 Jan. 1648-9, the government took the form of a republic, 

 and the style assumed was, "The Parliament of the Com- 

 monwealth of England." This lasted until Cromwell's 

 soldiers, at his command, expelled the members of the 

 House of Commons on the 20th April, 1653, 5 Car. II. 



1653. 5 Car. II. July 4. Oliver Cromwell, exercising absolute 



authority as General of the Army, convened "The Little 

 Parliament," the members of which were chosen by him- 

 self, a few from each county, and none from any cities or 

 boroughs, except London. Wiltshire sent three mem- 

 bers. This Parliament only held together until the 12th 

 December following. 



1654. 6 Car. II. Sept. 3. Cromwell was now styled "Protector." 



The Parliament convened at this time, consisted of re- 

 presentatives returned from counties, cities, and some 

 boroughs. Wiltshire sent ten. Cromwell dissolved this 

 Parliament on the following 22nd January, on account 

 of its not being sufficiently tractable. 

 1656. 8 Car. II. Sept. 17. No members were returned to this 

 Parliament, but such as were approved by Cromwell's 

 Council. Wiltshire returned ten as before. They were 

 dissolved 4 Feb. 1657-8, and on the 3rd Sept. in that 

 year (the anniversary of his great successes, at Dunbar 

 in 1650, and at Worcester in 1651), Cromwell quitted 

 the scene. 



1658-9. 10 Car. II. Jan. 27. Henry Hungerford, Esq. Thomas 

 Manley, Esq. This Parliament was called by Richard 

 Cromwell, and dissolved by him on the 22nd April 1659. 

 He resigned the Protectorate at the same time, the Long 

 Parliament, convened in 1640, re-assembled on the 7th 

 May, but was again ejected on the 13th Oct. On the 

 25th Dec. it was once more restored, and after sitting 

 three months, the members dissolved themselves on the 

 16th March 1659-60. 



