Republic: Britain's Revolutionary Decade, 1649–1660

by Alice Hunt

'Alice Hunt brilliantly reanimates this most extraordinary decade. It is a gripping tale of political and cultural crisis but also one of joy and hopeful innovation, told with eloquence and passion.'
MALCOLM GASKILL

'A magisterial, compelling and eye-opening biography of Britain's great and extraordinary experiment.'
SUZANNAH LIPSCOMB

Events moved with giddying speed in the 1650s. After the execution of Charles I, 'dangerous' monarchy was abolished and the House of Lords was dismissed, sending shock waves across the kingdom. These revolutionary acts set in motion a decade of bewildering change and instability, under the leadership of the soldier-statesman Oliver Cromwell.

England's unique and distinctive republican experiment may have been short-lived, but it changed the course of British history. It transformed the relationship between England, Scotland and Ireland, reset the compact between the monarch and the people, and re-fashioned the story the British told - and continue to tell - about themselves.

REPUBLIC is a richly engrossing year-by-year account of this exhilarating and daring period. It tells the story of what Britain's republic was really why it failed, but also, what it got right.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, British Literature, English Civil War, Civil War, Politics

569 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 26, 2024

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

thanks to the publishers and netgalley for a free copy in return for an open and honest review

An examination of the British republic of 1649-1660 which had so much to give but failed to deliver and the author look at the various factions during this period which gives a balanced viewpoint and looks at the later reign of Charles I

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The subtitle of this fascinating book - ‘Britain’s Revolutionary Decade’ - may equally well be ‘Britain’s Forgotten Decade’, for all the profile our one experiment with republican government has in the British consciousness. There has been something of a flurry of books on the subject in the last few years, although quite what that has to say about our current unsettled times I’m not sure. Anyway, the experiment doesn’t end well, soon falling victim to factionalism, personality clashes, economic instability, dashed expectations and overreaching ambition. Nevertheless, the ten years or so of republican government saw much in the way of literary, artistic and (especially) scientific innovation and creativity and one of the book’s greatest strengths is the expert pen portraits that Alice Hunt paints of some of the greatest figures of the age: Thomas Hobbes, John Milton, Margaret Cavendish, Robert Boyle, Robert Hooke, Samuel Hartlib and many others. I hadn’t previously come across Hartlib, but he is certainly a character to reckon with: ‘everyone, it seemed, knew Hartlib…and he had a finger in every pie. He flourished during the creative chaos of the 1650s when the country needed to heal, innovate and reform…He met and worked with all the principal characters from this time, and their political allegiances did not matter’. Perhaps if there had been more men like Hartlib around, we may be living in a republic still.

[Steven R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun little history of the Republic/Protectorate. The social and personal histories complement the overall narrative to bring the era to life.

The sections on Samuel Hartlib and the return of the Jews to England are really interesting and aren't usually focused on in histories of the period.

Hunt's background in Literature shines through, not only in her choice of sources, but also in her excellent narrative prose.

Good introductory text.

[Julian Worker · Rating 5 out of 5]

The years 1649 - 1660 were a time of bewildering change in England and yet at the end of this period the monarchy was restored when no one put up any serious objections to the return of Charles II.

Was the republic really all the work of Oliver Cromwell? Well, this book does show that he had the personality to persuade people of the best way to proceed, but he took no trouble to find a successor, someone who could continue the revolutionary republic.

This book outlines the major events of 1649 - 1660 and does highlight where Oliver could perhaps have made a better decision in terms of recalling Parliament sooner than he did and letting those members be at the centre of a democratic republic. A fully functional Parliament with the members of the Rota Club as part of a second chamber with oversight of Parliament would have been the best solution, but no one had the vision and clout to suggest such a system of government.

Famous names such as John Milton, Thomas Hobbes, Samuel Pepys, and Andrew Marvell flit in and out of the story. I'm amazed John Milton wasn't executed at the restoration as he was the biggest proponent of a republic.

[Matt Boulding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super informative book on a period in history often ignored despite how revolutionary and important it was for western Europe at the time. Brilliant narrative structure and style moving chronologically through the 1650's from chapter to chapter. Hunt has a nice and engaging style that made Republic a joy to read. She highlights what was done well and what failed for Britain's first and only full republic. The sections on the improving religious tolerance of the Republic. Which are obviously relative to the time period, are excellent and fascinating!

[Jen Burrows · Rating 5 out of 5]

Republic is an engaging and thought-provoking biography of a revolutionary decade in British history.

It's not a period of history I knew much about beforehand, but I found the year-by-year narrative clear and easy to follow. I had a strong image of the historical figures involved thanks to Hunt's astute characterisation and analysis, which is founded on a huge amount of research and utilises the protagonists' own words. Capturing the personalities at the centre of the action is crucial to understanding how the seismic changes of the 1650s came to pass.

Despite this sharp focus, Republic still manages to encompass a broad and rich history of the period. Hunt weaves literature, science and religion into the political narrative, showing how the changes in state impacted every aspect of British culture.

Republic is the story of a real turning point in British history, vividly brought to life in all its complexity.

*Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review*

[Carolyn Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written and insightful history of the Interregnum that captures the revolutionary spirit of the age. Hunt brings key figures from the 1650s to life and highlights some lesser known events and debates of the times as well. Events unfold year by year, showing how people at the time grappled with the great questions of the age such how treason was defined without a king and how the role of a lord protector differed from that of a monarch. The various religious and social movements of the times are discussed in some detail. Hunt presents a balanced overview of the legacy of both Oliver Cromwell and his lesser known son Richard Cromwell. The audiobook is well read.

[Dean · Rating 4 out of 5]

One thing I will say, this isn’t for the casual reader. I have had a long interest in the 11 years between the death of Charles I and the Restoration of his son Charles II in 1660, but the sheer depth of this book took even me by surprise. The author delves really really deep into the minutiae of Cromwell and the personalities that abounded during this era, and I learned that a lot of what we don’t commonly know actually heavily influenced the way things turned out. There were many, many forks in the road where events could have just as easily gone another way, and just sheer chance, force of personality, or coincidence made things go the way they did.
The author has clearly carried out exhaustive research of original sources and it’s a pretty definitive account of the time. She occasionally adds personal opinion or ideas but generally just tells it as it is. It’s an excellent book and highly recommended for people interested in the mid-17th century.

[Anne Siddell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an absorbing and enlightening history of the interregnum which provides a much wider societal context for Britain's experiment with republicanism, and demonstrates that the return of the monarchy was not inevitable. It shows how many of the religious, scientific and philosophical developments which are generally attributed to Charles II actually had their roots in the 1650s.
My only slight reservations are that the large number of characters mentioned made for quite a confusing narrative at times; by contrast, the process by which Britain moved from (effectively) martial law to restoring Charles II to the throne could have done with a bit more explanation.

[Remi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book! Overall opinion: Just read it!
It's short, very well written, really interesting so that when you know nothing about this period you'll close it knowing enough to understand how it joins with the rest of Britain's History.

But there are some unfortunate shortfalls even for an introduction. I think the events following Oliver Cromwell's death are rushed. I think it is missing a conclusion about how and when Cromwell got rehabilitated. I think there are a lot of, albeit very interesting, details that are taking too much space when they are, after all, just details.

[Leon Spence · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who has never studied or even read about the interregnum period I found Hunt's account to be not only accessible but enthralling. It is both fast paced and impeccably sourced.

Most of all Republic reads as a morality play for troubled political times. Just what does happen when you get longed for regime change? What is the turmoil that comes alongside progress? If polls are to be believed we could well be witnessing such change again soon.

Perhaps the best book I have read this year. Certainly the most enjoyable.

[Rocco Graziano · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introductory overview of Britain's single experience with republicanism, lasting from the regicide of King Charles I in 1649 to his son's restoration in 1660. Alice Hunt weaves a clear narrative of the tumultuous decade, and writes with a very engaging voice. It was not as deep of a study as I was looking for, but that's also to be expected with pop history books.

[Derek Patterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best general accounts of the period. It’s beautifully put together and written, poignant at times, and captures and tries to convey some of the peculiar energy and frisson of the time. I’ve read much about the period from many different angles - a focus on Cromwell, on the radicals, on Royalists, on it as simply an interregnum, but I’ve enjoyed this one the most.

[Pennockian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is excellent. Easy to read, clear and explains background information that might not be known to the reader. It is also well sourced. If you want to know more about the English Republic pick this book.

[M C · Rating 3 out of 5]

-Each year a chapter, light flowing touch
-Inevitable heavy focus on Cromwell, all secondary as the man was not forthcoming
-Describes events and flows well, but a certain muddying factor makes it all sound the same

[Harry B · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5.

[Erin]

Had to put this one down for a while—the first half hit a little too close to home in January/February. I may have to revisit it someday.

[Joshua Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5

[Roger Benson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A timeline for the 17th century

A very good reference book, easy to read. It explains in some detail all important events in Britain during the 1600’s.

[a catesby]

Excellent

Gripping account of a rich and fascinating period of history. Recommended. Easy to read and full of characters that should be remembered.

[Joseph Partridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Arguably one of the most interesting decades in English history, big fan

[Carl Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A year-by-year social and political history of the English Commonwealth with a few extended discussions of significant literary and scientific developments mostly unrelated to the social and political upheaval of the period.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

some of this went over my head so it’s worth a reread but gave a pretty good account of england’s short republic