Here's a brief overview of what happened after Charles I's death:
1. Establishment of the Commonwealth:
- After the king's execution, England was declared a republic. The House of Commons established the Council of State, which served as the governing body of the country.
- The Commonwealth was led by Oliver Cromwell, a prominent military and political figure who played a crucial role in the English Civil Wars.
2. Cromwell's Protectorate:
- In 1653, Cromwell dissolved the Rump Parliament and established a military dictatorship known as the Protectorate.
- He ruled as Lord Protector of the Commonwealth until his death in 1658.
3. Restored Parliament and Brief Rule of Richard Cromwell:
- After Cromwell's death, his son, Richard Cromwell, briefly succeeded him as Lord Protector.
- However, Richard lacked the authority and support of his father and faced challenges from various factions.
- In 1659, the Restored Parliament was established, marking the end of the Protectorate.
4. Restoration of the Monarchy:
- In 1660, the monarchy was restored with the return of Charles II, the son of Charles I.
- The Restoration Parliament invited Charles II to ascend the throne, and he was crowned king in 1661.
5. Glorious Revolution and Bill of Rights:
- The reign of Charles II and his successor, James II, led to growing tensions between the monarchy and Parliament.
- James's attempts to impose Catholic rule caused widespread discontent and ultimately resulted in the Glorious Revolution of 1688.
- James II was overthrown, and William III of Orange and his wife Mary, daughter of James, were invited to rule as joint monarchs.
- The Bill of Rights was enacted in 1689, establishing constitutional principles that limited the power of the monarchy and strengthened Parliament's authority.
The events following Charles I's execution marked a significant turning point in English history. The period of the Interregnum and the subsequent Restoration of the monarchy shaped the political, religious, and constitutional landscape of England.