Legal Definitions - Long Parliament

The Long Parliament refers to two distinct periods in English history when Parliament remained in session for an unusually extended duration during the 17th century.

• The most commonly referenced Long Parliament is the one that convened in England from 1640 to 1653, during the reign of King Charles I. This assembly played a pivotal role in the events leading up to and during the English Civil War, challenging royal authority and passing significant legislation. Although it was forcibly dissolved by Oliver Cromwell in 1653, it was briefly recalled before its final dissolution in 1660, coinciding with the restoration of the monarchy.

• A second, later assembly is sometimes referred to as the Long Parliament of Charles II. This Parliament met from 1661 to 1678, following the restoration of the monarchy under King Charles II. It is distinguished by its lengthy tenure, though it is less frequently the subject of historical discussion than its predecessor.

Examples:

• A university professor delivering a lecture on the English Civil War might explain how the Long Parliament, convened in 1640, initially sought to limit King Charles I's absolute power, leading to significant constitutional clashes and eventually armed conflict.

  This illustrates the primary meaning of the term by showing how the specific parliament active during Charles I's reign and the lead-up to the Civil War is identified by this term due to its extended and impactful session.

• A student researching Oliver Cromwell's rise to power might discover that Cromwell forcibly dissolved the original Long Parliament in 1653, frustrated by its slow progress and internal divisions, paving the way for the Protectorate.

  This example highlights another key aspect of the primary definition: its dissolution by Cromwell, emphasizing its long duration and eventual end under his authority.

• A historical documentary discussing the political landscape after the restoration of the monarchy might clarify that while the original Long Parliament ended in 1660, a later assembly, sometimes called the Long Parliament of Charles II, sat for an extended period from 1661 to 1678, shaping post-Civil War legislation and religious policy.

  This example clearly distinguishes between the two senses, showing how the "Long Parliament of Charles II" is used to refer to the later, similarly long-lasting parliamentary body, avoiding confusion with the earlier one.