Commonwealth Council of State (Cromwell the Great)

The Commonwealth Council of State acts as the executive of the country's government in place of the King and the Privy Council. It was to direct domestic and foreign policy and to ensure the security of the English Commonwealth.

It was formerly know as Council of State (1649-1653) and Protector's Privy Council (1653-1660).

The role of the President of the Council of State (usually addressed as "Lord President") was originally intended to simply preside over the Council of State. However its role became more powerful as successive Acts of Parliament delegated to it the power to issue decrees with the the approval of the Lord Protector. Initially these acts provided the means to administer all overseas dominions, colonies and territories. Also in states of war the Lord Protector-in-Council has supreme executive powers.