Cromwell created the best army of the age and established an excellent navy that was the foundation for the following centuries and naval supremacy. The Stuarts hankered after the 'divine right of kings' and indulging their incompetence, but in England the world had moved on - for the alternative see 18th century France leading inevitably to a real revolution and its terror. The Stuarts had to be got rid of a second time, the Glorious Revolution of 1689, thereafter the monarchy understood its constitutional position and led to todays excellent arrangements. Cromwell also understood that the Catholic church was the real problem and the Stuarts were flaky in this area.
So pleased this thread has been re lit as I have so enjoyed all the comments and enjoyed my history lesson too Za rodinu thanks for the link for the book have just bought it. Elsie Owen what a shame you did not stick the re enactment group it would have been lovely to see you in your gear haha Elsie
Grew up in Tower Hamlets ,so a big Parliment tradition ,joined Sealed Knot 1974 Fairfax Lifeguard then in to Wallers Horse two fine parlimentrian regiments ,any way that Charlie boy was a real bad one ,bringing over all those papiests to fight good Englishmen and wanting to bring over the French ,he may as well choped off his own noggin.And his Mrs was a nasty old bint to boot.
von Poop said How did they manage to establish the time of death so accurately in 1658? 3rd September is the Julian calendar - should really be celebrated (or otherwise) 13th September.
Currently free on Kindle: Going to the Wars: The Experience of the British Civil Wars 1638-1651 [Kindle Edition] Charles Carlton
Had a shufti at the rather grandiosely titled 'National Civil War Centre' in Newark today. Bit of a waste of time to be honest. A few nice artefacts but basically one room, a film show and... errr... That's it. Been in far better un-themed town museums that didn't charge. The single artefact of genuine note is perhaps the armour of one John Hussey, with a clean bullet hole through the front plate and buff behind. He did not survive. On the whole though, if you want a bit of Civil Wars history, the usuals still beat this place. Littlecote, Leeds armouries etc. Still have better collections of 'stuff'. (Though Littlecote may no longer be easily accessible... I have a feeling it may be a hotel now, and possibly even shifted all the armour somewhere.)
Aw, bless him. Known a few people who knew 'The Brigadier' over the years. All spoke with fondness, and a slight undertone of fear.
On the way to Bath today stopped off here. UK Battlefields Resource Centre - The Civil Wars - The Campaign for the South West 1643 - The Battle of Battle of Lansdown Hill
Anyone heard of this before ? Civil war massacre 'cover-up' exposed by historian Bit more here, News - History detective reveals Civil War massacre cover-up - University of Nottingham
Sacking after a siege was pretty much par for the course. If they hadn't been offered terms and didn't get a chance to refuse them then there might be an argument that they were hard done by. You'd think an academic would be aware of the contemporary rules of war. As for 'European Catholics', they'd be insurgents in modern parlance, wouldn't they? (He implies they were combatants rather than simply caught up in events)
Bloody Facebook. Slightly later than ECW. Wimborne Militia in Facebook battle after accounts disabled Wimborne Militia Facebook accounts deactivated for second time
It moved votes one line/response down. First noticed on the Dad's Army poll, where suddenly everyone was shifted to not liking it. Ought to sort that too.
