The British nation a history / by George MWrong . rmy out of politics, and to give Parlia-ment its old place of authority,but five stormy years were toofew for his task. The realmajority was always againsthim. Eoyalists, Eejiublicans,Presbyterians, even the armyin large degree, Avere at hearthostile to the unbending swayof the Protector. Cromwells son Eichardbecame Protector with thequietness and regularity ofhereditary kingship: it wassaid at the time that for aboutfive months not even a dogventured to wag its tongue against him. He was dignified, and couldThe succession , ?,?,?,, ^,^ ,^ l i_
The British nation a history / by George MWrong . rmy out of politics, and to give Parlia-ment its old place of authority,but five stormy years were toofew for his task. The realmajority was always againsthim. Eoyalists, Eejiublicans,Presbyterians, even the armyin large degree, Avere at hearthostile to the unbending swayof the Protector. Cromwells son Eichardbecame Protector with thequietness and regularity ofhereditary kingship: it wassaid at the time that for aboutfive months not even a dogventured to wag its tongue against him. He was dignified, and couldThe succession , ?,?,?,, ^,^ ,^ l i_ e i. and deposition speak well, but With the tastes ol a country of Richard gentleman, not of a statesman, he lacked in grasp of public affairs. Only a soldier or a king could rule England, and Eichard was neither. The army needed a real leader. The war with Spain was going on, and the soldiers pay was in such arrears that before Olivers funeral there was talk even of seizing his body as a hostage. Eichard summoned a Parliament to meet 26. RicHAKD Cromwell (1626-1712). 402 THE BRITISH NATION on January 27, 1659, and showed some disposition topit its influence against that of the army, but on April21, 1(559, he found himself surrounded in Whitehall bya military force, and was obliged to dissolve the. Parlia-ment. Once more soldiers at Westminster kept themembers from taking their places. With no Parliamentthe army was supreme, but as Fleetwood and Lambert,the army leaders, well knew, the heart of the nation wasagainst military rule. The republicans raised a mightyclamour for the good old time of the republic, andsince the Long Parliament, duly chosen by the English,people, had been the mouthpiece of the republic untilOliver dismissed it, a cry went forth for the Long Parlia-ment. The army chiefs at last called it together, and onMay 7, 1659, forty-two of the old Eump of the LongParliament, so ignominiously dismissed six years beforeby Oliver, came together at Westminster with L
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