2-703-985 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

'The Barebones Parliament', 1897. Satire on English politics during the 1650s. Barebone's Parliament, which came into being on 4 July 1653, was the last attempt of the English Commonwealth to find a stable political form, before the installation of Oliver Cromwell as Lord Protector. It was named after the nominee for the City of London, Praise-God Barebone. From "The Comic History of England" by Gilbert Abbott A Beckett, with satirical illustrations by John Leech. [Bradbury, Agnew & Co, London, 1897]