Disbound printed booklet entitled "The Humble Petition and Advice, Presented unto His Highness The Lord Protector by The Knights, Citizens and Burgesses assembled At the Parliament begun and held at Westminster the 17th day of September 1656," 20 pages plus title page, 7 x 10.25, printed in London by Henry Hills and John Field, Printers to His Highness, 1657. The first article in the petition offers Cromwell the title of 'Lord Protector,' he having just renounced the title of king: "That your highness will be pleased by and under the name and stile of Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland… to hold and exercise the office of Chief Magistrate of these nations, and to govern according to this petition and advice in all things therein contained, and in all other things according to the laws of these nations, and not otherwise: that your Highness will be pleased during your lifetime to appoint and declare the person who shall, immediately after your death, succeed you in the Government of these nations." The document goes on to outline proposals for the function of Parliament in Cromwell's regime, describing a bicameral system that had control over taxation. Cromwell consented to the measures of the "Humble Petition and Advice" on May 25, 1657. In very good to fine condition, with scattered light foxing, and light dampstaining to the lower half.
