was caricatured as such on
tavern signboards.

The nation pensioned him off with a moderate allowance, and he lived
in obscurity to an advanced age, carrying about with him to the last a
trunk filled with the congratulatory addresses and oaths of allegiance
which he had received when he became Protector.

Years after his abdication it is reported that he visited Westminster,
and when the attendant, who did not recognize him, showed him the
throne, he said, "Yes; I have not seen that chair since I sat in it
myself in 1659."

465. The "Convention Parliament."

The year following Richard Cromwell's withdrawal was full of anxiety
and confusion. The army of the Commonwealth had turned Parliament out
of doors (1659). There was no longer any regularly organized
government, and the country drifted helplessly like a ship without a
pilot.

General Monk, then commander in chief in Scotland, now marched into
England (1660) with the determination of calling a new Parliament,
which should be full, free, and representative of the real political
feeling of the nation. When he reached London with his army, the
members of the "Rump Parliament" (S447) had resumed their sessions.

At Monk's invitation the Presbyterian members, whom Colonel Pride had
driven from their seats eleven years before (S447), now went back.
This assembly issued writs for the summoning of a "Convention
Parliament" (so styled because called without royal authority), and
then dissolved by their own consent. Thus ended that memorable "Long
Parliament" (S439), which had existed nearly twenty years. About a
month later the Convention, including ten members of the House of
Lords, met, and at once invited Charles Stuart, then in Holland, to
return to his kingdom. He had made certain promises, called the
"Declaration of Breda,"[1] which were intended to smooth the way for
his return.

[1] The Declaration of Breda, made by Charles in Holland (1660)
promised: (1) free pardon to all those not excepted by Parliament; (2)
liberty of conscience to all whose views did not disturb the peace of
the realm; (3) the settlement by Parliament of all claims to landed
property; (4) the payment of arrears to Monk's army.

466. Summary.

Richard Cromwell's government existed in name only, never in fact.
During his so-called Protectorate the country was under the control of
the army of the Commonwealth or of that "Rump Parliament" which
represented nothing but itself.

Th