Richard Cromwell, Oliver's eldest son, now succeeded to the
Protectorate (S455). He was an amiable individual, as negative in
character as his father had been positive. With the extreme Puritans
(S457), known as the "godly party," he had no sympathy whatever.
"Here," said he to one of them, pointing to a friend of his who stood
by, "is a man who can neither preach nor pray, yet I would trust him
before you all." Such frankness was not likely to make the new ruler
popular with the army, made up of men who never lacked a Scripture
text to justify either a murder or a massacre. Moreover, the times
were perilous, and called for a decided hand at the helm. After a
brief reign of less than eight months the military leaders requested
Richard to resign, and soon afterwards recalled the "Rump Parliament"
(S447).