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.