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