English Council of State

Council of State

Flag of the Commonwealth
Agency overview
Formed	14 February 1649 (first time) 25 May 1659 (second time)
Preceding agencies	Charles I (as King) Oliver Cromwell (as Lord Protector)
Dissolved	30 April 1653 (first time) 28 May 1660 (second time)
Superseding agencies	Richard Cromwell (as Lord Protector) Charles II (as King)
Type	Advisory body
Status	Executive government
Headquarters	London, Commonwealth of England
Agency executive	Arthur Annesley, 1st Earl of Anglesey (last), Lord President

The English Council of State, later also known as the Protector's Privy Council, was first appointed by the Rump Parliament on 14 February 1649 after the execution of King Charles I.

Charles's execution on 30 January was delayed for several hours so that the House of Commons could pass an emergency bill to declare the representatives of the people, the House of Commons, as the source of all just power and to make it an offence to proclaim a new King. This in effect abolished the monarchy and the House of Lords.