Instrument of Government, the

English constitution of 1653-57 which established a Protectorate, with Oliver Cromwell at its head, assisted by a Council of State, and established a single-chamber parliament, consisting of 460 members. When parliament was not sitting the Lord Protector was empowered to issue legislation along with the Council of State. Protestants were also granted toleration under the new constitution. The settlement was imposed by the army and was widely perceived as being weighted too heavily in favour of the army, so that it was soon superseded by the Humble Petition May 1657.