POD for EnglishCommonwealth Survival (WI/POD)

So, I'm fairly new to the Alternate History forums, as of right now, but Ive done a fair bit of reading. I have currently caught up with three major timelines here and one elsewhere, and am in the process of reading two other ones.

Admittedly, that probably isnt very much. However, I've always been a major fan of discussing alternate history, and the like, and I love writing... So, I am thinking of beginning the process of researching what I need to make my own timeline, one that I havent found any major A-H writings on, and would think woyld have alot of discussion surrounding it.

The survival of the English Commonwealth after the death of, or lacking the rise of, Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell. I am slightly lacking in knowledge of Western European history during this time period, but have always thought the idea of an English republic rising from this time period and lasting for at least a long period of time could have had a major effect on modern history.

I have seen some ideas on how this could be possible, but was hoping to get discussion on the situation going and see if I could get any help gathering sources and such that could help me with this topic.

My main concerns are possible points of diversion that could contribute to this change, sources that I can read to get a better feel for the era for writing purposes, and discussing the plausible drawbacks of this happening. Any help, ideas, or discussion will probably be helpful!

Thanks for your time!
 
Glad you tough of Cromwell and the English Commonwealth as possible ALT.

A very fascinating and challenging subject but ridden with many biased opinions.

Doing research you can find some interesting caveats. My suggestions are the following:

Some useful sources are:
*BCW PROJECT (http://bcw-project.org/)
*Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (ODNB) for biographical entries see: https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Dictionary_of_National_Biography

For books see (most are available on Amazon. Some, specially Firth and Gardiner, are available free in the Internet):
* The English Civil Wars: 1640-1660 by Blair Worden (I strongly recommend to read his one first)
* The English Republic 1649-1660 by T.C. Barnard (Also highly recommended)
* Oliver Cromwell and the Rule of the Puritans in England by C. H. Firth (A Classic)
*Oliver Cromwell by Samuel Rawson Gardiner (Another Classic)
* History of the Commonwealth and Protectorate(Another Classic)
*The Constitutional Documents of the Puritan Revolution 1625-60 by by Samuel Rawson Gardiner
*Cromwell's Army: A History of the English Soldier during the Civil Wars, the Commonwealth and the Protectorate by C H Firth (a series of lectures)
*The Protector: A Vindication by Jean-Henri Merle d'Aubigné (biased biography but interesting to read)
* Parliaments and Politics during the Cromwellian Protectorate by Patrick Little and David L. Smith
* Cromwell and the Interregnum: The Essential Readings. by David Lee Smith
*The World Turned Upside Down: radical ideas during the English Revolution by Christopher Hill
* Radical Religion in Cromwell's England by Andrew Bradstock
* England's Culture Wars: Puritan Reformation and its Enemies in the Interregnum, 1649-1660. by Bernard Capp


Published althistory
*The Bloody Man and The Fiery Crucible by Ed Thomas (Amazon)
 
The survival of the English Commonwealth after the death of, or lacking the rise of, Lord Protector Oliver Cromwell. I am slightly lacking in knowledge of Western European history during this time period, but have always thought the idea of an English republic rising from this time period and lasting for at least a long period of time could have had a major effect on modern history.

I have seen some ideas on how this could be possible, but was hoping to get discussion on the situation going and see if I could get any help gathering sources and such that could help me with this topic.

My main concerns are possible points of diversion that could contribute to this change, sources that I can read to get a better feel for the era for writing purposes, and discussing the plausible drawbacks of this happening. Any help, ideas, or discussion will probably be helpful!

Thanks for your time!

Some POD are:
*Henry, at that moment Lord Deputy of Ireland, is named Lord Protector - by Cromwell or by means of a political coup after Oliver Cromwell's death (September 1658). John Thurloe's correspondence with Henry gives a hint that many were not so happy with the election of Richard.
*September of 1654 (a real event) Oliver Cromwell was out for a carriage ride and was throw off and killed. Succession is open.
*Possible successor besides OTL Richard, are Charles Fleetwood, Thomas Fairfax or Charles Lambert. Any of the three could rally the loyalty of the army and advocate a more moderate turn of rule. I personally like the idea of Fairfax or Lambert.
*Major butterflies are that there is no Second Anglo-Dutch War. Both republics could built an alliance or stronger ties. American colonies could gain self-goverment sooner.

There is a common fantasy of Levellers (and Diggers) becoming in charge of the Commonwealth. It is fantasy because Cromwell, Fairfax et al rebelled against a Bad King and his religious policy. They along the Grandees in the Army and the Rump Parliament were socially conservative and were not interesting of major social reforms espoused by the Levellers. To them these demands akin to anarchy and radicalism they did not stomach.

There is also an interesting unfinished timeline:
*Rise of the Generals, a Lord Protector Timeline
 
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These earlier POD are also good

The main reason why Cromwell was installed as Lord Protector was because all forms of governance tried by the Commonwealth beforehand had proven to be either (a) incompetent, or (b) too conservative for the independents and radicals in the New Model Army.
So, if I could suggest two potential PODs:
(1) Not have the Rump renege on its agreement to dissolve, which was the pretext for Cromwell's dissolution. If new parliamentary elections are held which result in a new Parliament assembling that is sufficiently radical, it could continue to govern with the army's support.
or
(2) Avoid Fifth Monarchist beliefs emerging during the Civil War. Then, when Barebone's Parliament (or a similar body - remember that assembling a parliament of 'saints' was Harrison's idea) is assembled, it might be able to function effectively.

Anyhow, I wish you all the best of luck with your timeline and look forward to reading it.
 
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