The New Student's Reference Work/Long Parliament

Long Par′liament, the name by which the fifth parliament summoned by Charles I is known. It met on Nov. 3, 1640, and began its work by reversing all the tryannical and illegal acts of the previous 11 years. It abolished the star-chamber and high-commission, and secured itself by passing an act that it could not be dissolved without its own consent. Colonel Pride drove 96 members, who were displeasing to the army, out of Parliament, and the remnant, called the Rump, continued to sit till Cromwell turned them out in 1653. Richard Cromwell failing to maintain authority, the Rump was recalled. Of the 160 members who continued sitting after the king's death, 90 returned to their seats. Proving again displeasing to the army, General Lambert turned them out. But there were dissensions among the officers of the army, and these members of Parliament were once more restored as the only body in the country having any kind of authority. After issuing writs for a new election, it dissolved itself March 16, 1660.