protectorate

A relationship of protection and partial control assumed by a superior power over a dependent country or region.

The protected country or region.

The government, office, or term of a protector.

The government of England under Oliver Cromwell and his son Richard, ruling as Lord Protector of the Commonwealth.

Government by a protector; also, the rank or position of a protector, or the period of his rule: specifically [capitalized] used with reference to the period in English history during which Oliver and Richard Cromwell held the title of Lord Protector.