Parliament and Cromwell

by Brian de Fitz-James; 4, December, 2008

Cromwell found Parliament to be a contrary and difficult body, but he also found himself dependent on it, for he needed money for the wars. In April 1653, Parliament proposed to expand its membership and to sit permanently. Cromwell entered the House during the debate. He listened for a while, then rose to his feet and shouted:

"Come, come! I will put an end to your prating. You are no Parliament. I say you are no Parliament. I will put an end to your sitting."

Before the stunned MPs could recover, Cromwell had called his troops into the House and cleared it. Oliver Cromwell had seized power.