Long Parliament

Long Parliament, the name by which the fifth parliament summoned by Charles I. is known. It succeeded the Short Parliament, dissolved after three weeks, and met November 3, 1640. It began its work by reversing all the tyrannical and illegal acts of the past eleven years, with the abolition of the Star Chamber and High Commission, and the impeachment of Strafford; while it secured itself by an act that it could not be dissolved without its own consent. Just before Charles I.'s trial it was 'purged' by Colonel Pride of 96 members displeasing to the army, and the remnant—the 'Rump'—continued to sit until its members were turned out by the Lord General Cromwell, April 20, 1653. The 'Rump' was recalled by the officers on the failure of Richard Cromwell to maintain his authority, and of the 160 members who had continued to sit after the king's death about 90 returned to their seats. Proving once more displeasing to the army, they were again turned out by General Lambert. They were restored amid the dissensions of the officers, as the only body in the country having any kind of legal authority, and, on the motion of Ashley Cooper, the members ejected by 'Pride's Purge' returned to their seats. After issuing the writs for a new election it dissolved itself, March 16, 1660. Thus ended the Long Parliament, which, twice expelled and twice restored, had lasted for twenty years.