Commonwealth of England

The republican government which ruled, first England, then the whole of Britain and Ireland during 1649 - 1653 and 1659 - 1660. The term is also loosely used to describe the system of government during the whole of 1649 - 1660, the years of the Interregnum, although during 1653 - 1659, the government is properly called the Protectorate and took the form of direct personal rule by Oliver Cromwell, the Lord Protector.