Page "Commonwealth of England" Paragraph 1

The Rump was created by Pride's Purge of those members of the Long Parliament who did not support the political position of the Grandees in the New Model Army.

Just before and after the execution of King Charles I on 30 January 1649, the Rump passed a number of acts of Parliament creating the legal basis for the republic.

With the abolition of the monarchy, Privy Council and the House of Lords, it had unchecked executive, as well as legislative, power.

The Council of State, which replaced the Privy Council, took over many of the executive functions of the monarchy.

It was selected by the Rump, and most of its members were MPs.

Ultimately, however, the Rump depended on the support of the Army with which it had a very uneasy relationship.