Humble Petition and Advice

Constitutional proposal put to Oliver Cromwell by the English parliament 25 May 1657 to moderate army rule under the major-generals. Although Cromwell refused the crown which the petition urged him to accept, he agreed to other clauses: he nominated a successor; created a second chamber of parliament, consisting of up to 70 life peers; and curbed the powers of the Council of State. Parliament's power was greatly increased after the settlement, particularly in regard to taxation, and the petition formed the basis of the constitution until the disputes between Richard Cromwell and the Rump Parliament 1659.