History of Routledge surname 15th to 18th centuries who had served in English armies before the 5th day of June 1649, was assembled for adjudication of their claims for unpaid arrears. Included were a Lieutenant Edward Rutledge and a Thomas Rutlidge. Parliamentary forces prevailed in 1651, and Oliver Cromwell assumed government of the Commonwealth of England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland under the title of Lord Protector until his death in 1658. His son, Richard Cromwell (1658-1659) succeeded his father's position for less than a year and willingly stepped down in 1659. AD 1652. Some soldiers who had served the Commonwealth in Ireland were promised land in lieu of
Lord Protector forces of England, Scotland and Ireland, shall be, and is hereby declared to be, Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland, and the dominions thereto belonging, for his life. The replacement constitution of 1657, the Humble Petition and Advice, gave "His Highness the Lord Protector" the power to nominate his successor. Cromwell chose his eldest surviving son, the politically inexperienced Richard. This was a non-representative and de facto dynastic mode of succession, with royal connotations in both styles awarded, (even a double invocation 16 December 1653 – 3 September 1658 "By the Grace of God and Republic