The Convention Parliament of England (25 April 1660 – 29 December 1660) followed the Long Parliament that had finally voted for its own dissolution on 16 March that year. Elected as a "free parliament", i.e. with no oath of allegiance to the Commonwealth or to the monarchy, it was predominantly Royalist in its membership. It assembled for the first time on 25 April 1660.
After the Declaration of Breda had been received, Parliament proclaimed on 8 May that King Charles II had been the lawful monarch since the death of Charles I in January 1649. The Convention Parliament then proceeded to conduct the necessary preparation for the Restoration Settlement. These preparations included the necessary provisions to deal with land and funding such that the new régime could operate.
Reprisals against the establishment which had developed under Oliver Cromwell were constrained under the terms of the Indemnity and Oblivion Act which became law on 29 August 1660. Nonetheless, there were prosecutions against those accused of regicide, the direct participation in the trial and execution of Charles I.
The Convention Parliament was dissolved by Charles II on 29 December 1660. The succeeding parliament was elected in May 1661, and was called the Cavalier Parliament. It set about both systematically dismantling or recasting all legislation and institutions which had been introduced during the Interregnum, and confirming of the Acts of the Convention Parliament.
Contents
Composition
Despite former Parliamentarians having a technical headcount plurality over Royalists (180 over 110 by one count), the Royalists were able to outmaneuver them by relying on a large number of new inexperienced delegates and on the complete disunity and lack of leadership of the former parliamentarians on most matters of contention.
Legislation
In legal statutes, the Convention parliament is cited as 12 Cha. 2 (parliamentary session of the "12th regnal year of Charles II"). Among the acts passed by it were:
Parliament Act 1660 (c.1)
An Act for putting in execution an Ordinance mentioned in this Act
An Act for the Continuance of Processe and Judiciall Proceedings
Tunnage and Poundage Act (c.4), with schedule of very high customs duties, which remained largely unchanged until the 18th century.
Continuation of Excise Tax until 20 August 1660
An Act for the present Nominating of Commissioners of Sewers.
An Act for restoreing unto James Marquesse of Ormond etc.
An Act for continuing of the Excise till the five and twentyeth day of December One thousand six hundred and sixty.
Establishment of a poll tax (c.9) to pay off the disbanding of the New Model Army
An Act for supplying and explaining certaine defects in an Act entituled An Act for the speedy provision of money for disbanding and paying off the forces of this kingdome both by Land and Sea.
Indemnity and Oblivion Act (c.11)
Legal Proceedings During Commonwealth Act 1660 (c.12)
An Act for restraining the taking of Excessive Usury