So simple, Charles II makes no return in 1660 and England remains kingless in the long-term (always the possibility of French style flirtations but essentially England remains a republic of sorts).
How to do it? What if Cromwell appoints a successor as Lord Protector as oppossed to a succession by his unqualified, unpopular, unknown son Richard.
From my quite limited reading on the subject it seems Charles Fleetwood, his son-in-law, was a primary candidate. He had military experience and was popular in the New Model Army, was a Puritan and oversaw the Protectorate's supression of Ireland. He was also anti-monarchist, despite his unswerving loyalty and admiration of Cromwell, enough to oppose the Humble Petition's suggestion he should become King, bar that he saw a life dictatorship as good. He also saw foriegn policy as grounded in religion, and supported Protestant unity, reconciliation with Holland? Sweden? German States?
Indeed after Richard was appointed the new Lord Protector in spit of his own obvious candidacy, he led the Republicans in opposing the restoration regardless of the nation's growing instability.
So I ask, its 1658, Lord Protector Fleetwood rules the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland with an iron fist. What effect on Britain and the world do you think a lengthened Republic would have?
How to do it? What if Cromwell appoints a successor as Lord Protector as oppossed to a succession by his unqualified, unpopular, unknown son Richard.
From my quite limited reading on the subject it seems Charles Fleetwood, his son-in-law, was a primary candidate. He had military experience and was popular in the New Model Army, was a Puritan and oversaw the Protectorate's supression of Ireland. He was also anti-monarchist, despite his unswerving loyalty and admiration of Cromwell, enough to oppose the Humble Petition's suggestion he should become King, bar that he saw a life dictatorship as good. He also saw foriegn policy as grounded in religion, and supported Protestant unity, reconciliation with Holland? Sweden? German States?
Indeed after Richard was appointed the new Lord Protector in spit of his own obvious candidacy, he led the Republicans in opposing the restoration regardless of the nation's growing instability.
So I ask, its 1658, Lord Protector Fleetwood rules the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland with an iron fist. What effect on Britain and the world do you think a lengthened Republic would have?