RUMP PARLIAMENT Meaning and
Definition
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Rump Parliament refers to the English parliamentary body that existed between 1648 and 1653. Following the execution of King Charles I in 1649, and the establishment of the Commonwealth of England, the Rump Parliament was created as a fragment of the Long Parliament. The Long Parliament had first convened in 1640 and was initially resistant to the growing power of the monarchy. However, by 1648, divisions within the Long Parliament became apparent, leading to members who supported the monarchy's trial and execution to continue as the Rump Parliament.
The name "Rump Parliament" was derived from the term "rump," which referred to the remaining part of a body after the most vital elements had been removed. In this context, it signified the reduced membership of the parliament following the exclusion of those who opposed the trial and execution of King Charles I. The Rump Parliament consisted mainly of Puritan and radical members, who aimed to further the revolutionary cause.
The Rump Parliament played a significant role in English political history. During its tenure, it abolished the monarchy and the House of Lords, established the Commonwealth, executed King Charles I, and oversaw the trial and execution of royalists. However, its rule was not without controversy and opposition, which ultimately culminated in its dissolution by Oliver Cromwell in 1653, marking the end of the Rump Parliament era.
Etymology of RUMP PARLIAMENT
The term "rump parliament" originated during the English Civil War, specifically in the mid-17th century. Its etymology can be traced back to the word "rump", which means the hind part or the back end of an animal or human body. In this context, the term "rump" was used metaphorically to refer to a small remaining section or remnant.
During the Civil War, the parliament was divided between those who supported King Charles I (Royalists) and those who opposed him (Parliamentarians). In 1648, after the victory of the Parliamentarians, a purge was initiated, known as "Pride's Purge", in which a significant number of members of parliament who were sympathetic to the king were forcibly excluded from the House of Commons by Colonel Thomas Pride and his soldiers.
