Chapter V: THE COMMONWEALTH (concluded)

Naval Victory over the Dutch--Death of Van Tromp--_Quasi_-Royal
State of the Lord-Protector--Disaffection against Cromwell--His
Vigorous Rule--Charles II. offers a Reward for his
Assassination--Rebellions in Scotland--Cromwell's Dealings with the
Portuguese Ambassador--Reform of the Court of Chancery--Commission
for Purgation of the Church--The Reformed Parliament--Exclusion of
the Ultras--Dissolution of Parliament--Danger from Plots--Accident
to the Protector--Death of Cromwell's Mother--Royalist
Outbreaks--Cromwell's Major-Generals--Foreign Policy--War with
Spain--Massacre of the Piedmontese--Capture of Jamaica--The
Jews Appeal for Toleration--Cromwell's Third Parliament--Plots
against his Life--The Petition and Advice--Cromwell refuses the
Royal Title--Blake's Brilliant Victory at Santa Cruz--Death of
Blake--Successes against Spain--Failure of the Reconstructed
Parliament--Punishment of Conspirators--Victory in the
Netherlands--Absolutism of Cromwell--His Anxieties, Illness, and
Death--Proclamation of Richard Cromwell--He calls a Parliament--It
is Dissolved--Reappearance of the Rump--Richard Retires--Royalist
Risings--Quarrels of the Army and the Rump--General Monk--He
Marches upon London--Demands a Free Parliament--Royalist
Reaction--Declaration of Breda--Joyful Reception of Charles 123