Women All on Fire: The Women of the English Civil War

by Alison Plowden

Using personal accounts from both Royalist and Parliamentarian supporters to reveal the untold story of the women of the English Civil War, Alison Plowden illustrates how the conflict affected the lives of women and how they coped with unfamiliar responsibilities. Some displayed a courage so far above their sex as to suprise and disconcert their men. The Royalists included Queen Henrietta, who went abroad to raise money for the cause, and Mary Bankes who held Corfe Castle for the king with her daughters, heaving stones and hot embers over the battlements at the attacking Roundheads. On the opposing side, Lady Brillia Harley guarded Brampton Bryan Castle in Herefordshire against the Royalists and Anne Fairfax, wife of Cromwell's northern general, who was taken prisoner by the Duke of Newcastle's troops after Adwalton Moor. This is a fascinating look at the little reported, yet valient actions, of the women caught up in this tumultuous age.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Womens

Paperback

First published April 1, 1998

Reviews

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come.

[Bill38silver · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-researched, well-written narrative of the lives of several women in the turmoil of the seventeenth century who in today's lingo might be called 'assertive', 'feisty' but possibly not 'feminist'. The common denominator is that most of them were from the well-to- do part of society: Queen Henrietta, the Countess of Derby, Lady this and that. This is not to decry the exploits, heroism, bravery etc of these women operating and surviving in a patriarchal society but there is much "doing their duty" to their husband, family, state, and religion.

Most of the women featured in this book were literate and blessed with plenty, who suffered much loss of their castle or mansion house and their possessions. Their struggles were often rooted in attempts to retain their status, trappings, and security. Many suffered from separation from loved ones, mental and physical hardship including much loss of children at birth or in early years as well as chaotic changed circumstances.

There are some impressive people here including the brilliantly-named Brilliana Harley. This is "top-down" history but rarely gets too far down the social scale. An enjoyable read which avoids academic analysis or a fresh interpretation of previously well documented events. It is a tale well told.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched, fascinating glimpses into impact of the civil war on the 'upper and middling' women of England.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

This true to life book containing the experiences of a select number of women during the Seventeenth-Century English Civil War is thoroughly researched and imaginatively retold. As a Historian approaching my dissertation the said subject, it seemed only fitting to add a piece of my project into the challenge, it also meant completing a little research as well. This is most likely why this book took me so long to read, it cannot be taken as just another story, it is a gritty account of the lives of women during the Civil War between King and Parliament.
Upon reading this book, I really enjoyed that pull back into history which you don't always receive with History books, it was an immensely informative and interesting read of a time when chivalry still existed and women began to get a taste of liberty and power alongside men.

[Emily · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't quite what I hoped it would be, but it still was pretty interesting. I wanted an account of more everyday women and how the English Civil War affected them. Instead, it focused mostly on well-born women who left written records of their activities. Their accounts can be found in other books on the time period for the most part (i.e. Antonia Fraser's The Weaker Vessel), but there were a couple of stories I hadn't heard and enjoyed reading. The book is somewhat chronological, but it jumps around a bit in time, place, and the person it's focused on.

[Gill · Rating 2 out of 5]

I finished it! At last! The fact that it took me 13 months to get through, with a period of maybe 8 months where it lay untouched, may be a clue that this is not a riveting read.

There's obviously a lot of research gone into this book but sadly it can be a little dry. The narrative thread was lacking, as was any sense of context. I didn't feel the general position of women in society was adequately covered and certainly there was little indication of how class affected one's role.