Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

The term "Commonwealth" in English history refers to the period between 1649 and 1660 when England was a republic. Following the execution of King Charles I, England was declared a commonwealth under parliamentary rule. This era transitioned into the Protectorate in 1653, with Oliver Cromwell installed as lord protector. After Cromwell's death, his son Richard briefly continued the government until Parliament resumed power, paving the way for the Restoration of Charles II in 1660.1

During this time, the American colonies, particularly in New England, developed a significant degree of self-governance, often operating with considerable autonomy from England due to the mother country's internal conflicts.2

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.