Oliver Cromwell: The Interregnum and Protectorate
I can explain how Cromwell ruled over England and the changes he implemented.
Oliver Cromwell: The Interregnum and Protectorate
I can explain how Cromwell ruled over England and the changes he implemented.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- The years from 1649 - 1660 when England was a republic are known as the Interregnum.
- Oliver Cromwell became the most powerful figure in England during the Interregnum.
- Puritans hoped to make England a more godly country.
- Sects like the Fifth Monarchists emerged but often opposed the actions of the government.
- Cromwell's rule was unpopular as he reduced the power of Parliament and relied heavily on the army.
Keywords
Republic - a republic is a country without a monarch
MP - an MP is a Member of Parliament; MPs help to make laws
Reform - a reform is a change made in order to improve something
Protectorate - the Protectorate was the system of government set up by Oliver Cromwell and the New Model Army in 1653
Sect - a sect is a group of people with a set of, often extreme, religious beliefs
Common misconception
Parliament ruled the country for the whole Interregnum period.
Parliament ruled the country at the start of the Interregnum but was dismissed, recomposed, and ruled without at other times after 1652.
To help you plan your year 8 history lesson on: Oliver Cromwell: The Interregnum and Protectorate, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 8 history lesson on: Oliver Cromwell: The Interregnum and Protectorate, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
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Explore more key stage 3 history lessons from the The English Civil War: what can pamphlets tell us about 17th century politics? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of upsetting content
- Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Starter quiz
6 Questions
removing something you don't agree with
person who died for their beliefs and gains respect for that
English army which fought for Parliament
Exit quiz
6 Questions
period of time when England had no monarch
government set up by Oliver Cromwell and the New Model Army
person with very strict Protestant beliefs
groups with a set of, often extreme, religious beliefs