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English Civil War: A History From Beginning to End
English Civil War
In 1642, King Charles I and the elected Parliament of England went to war over the future of the Stuart kingdom. Over the next nine years three Civil Wars would be fought, devastating the populations of England, Scotland and Ireland and claiming a death toll of an estimated 800,000 people, including King Charles I himself.
Inside you will read about...- Reasons to go to War
- The First English Civil War: Choose Your Side
- The First English Civil War: The War Begins
- The First English Civil War: The War Spreads
- The First English Civil War: A New Model Army
- The Second Civil War
- The Third Civil War
With the authority of the monarchy, the freedom of Parliament and the power of religion at stake, the English Civil Wars decided the future of the Great Britain and influenced the future of politics around the world.
In 1642, King Charles I and the elected Parliament of England went to war over the future of the Stuart kingdom. Over the next nine years three Civil Wars would be fought, devastating the populations of England, Scotland and Ireland and claiming a death toll of an estimated 800,000 people, including King Charles I himself.
Inside you will read about...- Reasons to go to War
- The First English Civil War: Choose Your Side
- The First English Civil War: The War Begins
- The First English Civil War: The War Spreads
- The First English Civil War: A New Model Army
- The Second Civil War
- The Third Civil War
With the authority of the monarchy, the freedom of Parliament and the power of religion at stake, the English Civil Wars decided the future of the Great Britain and influenced the future of politics around the world.
49 pages, Paperback
Published October 24, 2016
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Hourly History
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
April 5, 2020
The English Civil war much more complicated than it is normally understood. This comes out pretty clearly from yet another succinctly presented historical detail by the authors of Hourly History. Despite being precise and short, the book doesn't really miss out on any major event in the three installments of the Civil War that ravaged British Isles.
May 21, 2018
We learn about the English Civil War, and we learn why England had to concede the road towards power to unified France during the 17th century.
English Civil War was another war going on in Europe while the First Global War of Powershift and Hegemony was ongoing between the monarchies of old Habsburg-Spain and rising Bourbon-France. This war is known to us as the most destructive fight over faith, but both Spanish and French monarchies were Catholics; it was more like the rising Bourbon Monarchy in France (established in the late-16th century) challenging the old order and rules under the Catholic doctrines that gave all the seats, lands, population (manpower) and controls to the champion of Catholic world: Habsburg Empire, led by Spanish branch at the time.
After Elizabeth I was dead, England, too, started fighting its own war of religion known as the English Civil War, but just like the other religious wars in Europe fighting over secular power and control in fact, the English Civil War, too, was a secular power struggle between the King and the Parliament (From the rulers' point of view, there isn't such thing as religious war; even the Crusade wasn't really religious to the Pope, who wanted more power and control with more Christians, who were supposed to obey his authority).
It looks like Bourbon-France was the only European power that was free from the fever of religious division within her border in the late-16th to late-17th century, and so with her united and tolerant society under a strong leadership and one clear direction, quickly France could defeat the remnants of old Habsburg Empire, the Kingdom of Spain and Dutch Republic one by one, building up a massive maritime empire taking much of North America, Western Africa and half of Indian Subcontinent, which would last under French control until the challenge from unified Great Britain in the following century began eventually replacing the French-led order under Peace of Westphalia with the new one called Congress of Vienna by the early-19th century.
There’s another aspect to notice in the book: Just like in the other theaters of the First Global War of Powershift and Hegemony, such as the Thirty Years’ War in the main European Continent, the English Civil War also witnessed the same type of warfare conducted by mercenary soldiers. It was before the advent of massive citizen forces with the American and French Revolutions in the late-18th century.
(Kindle Location 323)
...The new rulers of England still had to complete the difficult task of demobilizing their huge armies. Cromwell’s New Model Army was unwilling to disband freely. They were owed money for one thing, and had enjoyed two full years of marching around England, fighting, pillaging and living on “free quarter”. Parliament gave the New Model Army two choices: either return to civilian life or serve in the ongoing conflict in Ireland. Neither option was very popular. The unwillingness of the soldiers to return to civilian life, disagreements between Parliamentary leaders over how to handle the situation, reluctance on the part of the House of Commons to pay soldiers what they were owed...
This was supposed to happen because it was their profession and way to make living, and like this book clearly mentions in the previous pages, there were many foreign mercenaries as well.
The wars conducted by these professional soldiers fighting for money and booty were to be brutal for the victims.
(Kindle Location 364)
The experience of not just one civil war but two had devastated England. Many lives had been lost, families were left destitute and much of the kingdom’s treasury had been spent. It is now estimated that the English Civil Wars cost proportionally more lives than the First World War. Tax levels were high, soldiers were still unpaid and took what they could from ordinary citizens, and everyone wanted to see the bloodshed come to an end...
(Kindle Locations 445-446)
There are no verified figures for how many lives were lost during the English Civil Wars, but as in most wars of the period more lives were lost to disease than in actual warfare. Historical records count over 84,000 people killed in conflict with over 100,000 more killed by disease in England alone. No records were kept of Scottish soldiers killed in the wars, but estimates suggest another 60,000 people may have died in Scotland and in Ireland. Where plague, Irish civil war and famine added to the death toll from the English Civil War, it is estimated over 600,000 people died - 40% of the pre-war population.
(Kindle Location 392)
Following the execution of Charles I, England was as divided as ever before...
England suffered massive domestic problems under this unprecedented social division, even worse than the War of Roses, but at the end, thanks to this Civil War, which ended well with the social unity under a full control of the Parliament by 1689 and the official unification of England and Scotland as the United Kingdom of Great Britain by 1707, England would rise as the next champion of Europe and global hegemon.
(Kindle Location 445)
The English Civil Wars made a number of irreversible changes to life in England. Firstly, the crown lost its feudal rights and authority over the courts. Secondly, the crown lost its right to levy taxes without Parliament’s consent or to arrest Members of Parliament without cause. Thirdly, Parliament became a permanent part of the British institution and lastly, the Church of England ceased to be the sole religious institution.
This final social and political unity with the tolerance over individual faith was the reason for Great Britain to emerge as the next superpower by defeating France, while French monarchy was going backward since the Edict of Fontainebleau, pushed by Louis XIV, which was the revocation of Edict of Nantes and freedom of faith.
English Civil War was another war going on in Europe while the First Global War of Powershift and Hegemony was ongoing between the monarchies of old Habsburg-Spain and rising Bourbon-France. This war is known to us as the most destructive fight over faith, but both Spanish and French monarchies were Catholics; it was more like the rising Bourbon Monarchy in France (established in the late-16th century) challenging the old order and rules under the Catholic doctrines that gave all the seats, lands, population (manpower) and controls to the champion of Catholic world: Habsburg Empire, led by Spanish branch at the time.
After Elizabeth I was dead, England, too, started fighting its own war of religion known as the English Civil War, but just like the other religious wars in Europe fighting over secular power and control in fact, the English Civil War, too, was a secular power struggle between the King and the Parliament (From the rulers' point of view, there isn't such thing as religious war; even the Crusade wasn't really religious to the Pope, who wanted more power and control with more Christians, who were supposed to obey his authority).
It looks like Bourbon-France was the only European power that was free from the fever of religious division within her border in the late-16th to late-17th century, and so with her united and tolerant society under a strong leadership and one clear direction, quickly France could defeat the remnants of old Habsburg Empire, the Kingdom of Spain and Dutch Republic one by one, building up a massive maritime empire taking much of North America, Western Africa and half of Indian Subcontinent, which would last under French control until the challenge from unified Great Britain in the following century began eventually replacing the French-led order under Peace of Westphalia with the new one called Congress of Vienna by the early-19th century.
There’s another aspect to notice in the book: Just like in the other theaters of the First Global War of Powershift and Hegemony, such as the Thirty Years’ War in the main European Continent, the English Civil War also witnessed the same type of warfare conducted by mercenary soldiers. It was before the advent of massive citizen forces with the American and French Revolutions in the late-18th century.
(Kindle Location 323)
...The new rulers of England still had to complete the difficult task of demobilizing their huge armies. Cromwell’s New Model Army was unwilling to disband freely. They were owed money for one thing, and had enjoyed two full years of marching around England, fighting, pillaging and living on “free quarter”. Parliament gave the New Model Army two choices: either return to civilian life or serve in the ongoing conflict in Ireland. Neither option was very popular. The unwillingness of the soldiers to return to civilian life, disagreements between Parliamentary leaders over how to handle the situation, reluctance on the part of the House of Commons to pay soldiers what they were owed...
This was supposed to happen because it was their profession and way to make living, and like this book clearly mentions in the previous pages, there were many foreign mercenaries as well.
The wars conducted by these professional soldiers fighting for money and booty were to be brutal for the victims.
(Kindle Location 364)
The experience of not just one civil war but two had devastated England. Many lives had been lost, families were left destitute and much of the kingdom’s treasury had been spent. It is now estimated that the English Civil Wars cost proportionally more lives than the First World War. Tax levels were high, soldiers were still unpaid and took what they could from ordinary citizens, and everyone wanted to see the bloodshed come to an end...
(Kindle Locations 445-446)
There are no verified figures for how many lives were lost during the English Civil Wars, but as in most wars of the period more lives were lost to disease than in actual warfare. Historical records count over 84,000 people killed in conflict with over 100,000 more killed by disease in England alone. No records were kept of Scottish soldiers killed in the wars, but estimates suggest another 60,000 people may have died in Scotland and in Ireland. Where plague, Irish civil war and famine added to the death toll from the English Civil War, it is estimated over 600,000 people died - 40% of the pre-war population.
(Kindle Location 392)
Following the execution of Charles I, England was as divided as ever before...
England suffered massive domestic problems under this unprecedented social division, even worse than the War of Roses, but at the end, thanks to this Civil War, which ended well with the social unity under a full control of the Parliament by 1689 and the official unification of England and Scotland as the United Kingdom of Great Britain by 1707, England would rise as the next champion of Europe and global hegemon.
(Kindle Location 445)
The English Civil Wars made a number of irreversible changes to life in England. Firstly, the crown lost its feudal rights and authority over the courts. Secondly, the crown lost its right to levy taxes without Parliament’s consent or to arrest Members of Parliament without cause. Thirdly, Parliament became a permanent part of the British institution and lastly, the Church of England ceased to be the sole religious institution.
This final social and political unity with the tolerance over individual faith was the reason for Great Britain to emerge as the next superpower by defeating France, while French monarchy was going backward since the Edict of Fontainebleau, pushed by Louis XIV, which was the revocation of Edict of Nantes and freedom of faith.
December 4, 2022
These short reads aren’t more than a formatted Wikipedia page. But this is a must read for all fantasy fans. Here is where all our lore is being born from. An amazing and interesting and confusing part of human history.
March 28, 2019
Quick overview of the three consecutive civil wars that took place between the Royalists and Parliamentarians. Good starting point to learn the basics.
September 4, 2020
There were actually 3 English Civil Wars; and the sparsely-populated kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland were involved. They began as disagreements between King Charles I and the English Parliament. At first, the wars were 'other peoples' troubles' but before all was over, 800.000 people had died. This book makes the point that the English Civil Wars could have been called the Wars of the Three Stuart Kingdoms.
Sometimes it helps to know the war years; the 1st war was from 1642 - 1646; the 2nd began in 1648 and included the execution of the king; the 3rd war took place between 1649 and 1651. The third war culminated in the new king fleeing into exile and the establishment of the Commonwealth of England, under Oliver Cromwell's rule.
The upshot of all this fighting was that the Parliamentary army changed the role of the British monarchy and the English Constitution. There were several irreversible changes to life in England. The crown lost its feudal rights and authority over the courts. The crown lost its right to levy taxes without Parliament's consent; nor could the crown arrest Parliament members without cause. Parliament became a permanent fixture of British life. Finally, the Church of England could not be the only approved religious institution.
Hourly History does the impossible; they create interesting works that only take about an hour to read. This one is clear about the causes, events, and results of the English Civil Wars.
Sometimes it helps to know the war years; the 1st war was from 1642 - 1646; the 2nd began in 1648 and included the execution of the king; the 3rd war took place between 1649 and 1651. The third war culminated in the new king fleeing into exile and the establishment of the Commonwealth of England, under Oliver Cromwell's rule.
The upshot of all this fighting was that the Parliamentary army changed the role of the British monarchy and the English Constitution. There were several irreversible changes to life in England. The crown lost its feudal rights and authority over the courts. The crown lost its right to levy taxes without Parliament's consent; nor could the crown arrest Parliament members without cause. Parliament became a permanent fixture of British life. Finally, the Church of England could not be the only approved religious institution.
Hourly History does the impossible; they create interesting works that only take about an hour to read. This one is clear about the causes, events, and results of the English Civil Wars.
November 11, 2020
The most interesting thing I found in this book about the English Civil War was the overarching role that religion played. As throughout history religion has served, and is still serving, to divide people, leading to acts of terrorism and outright war just because another group of people believes something different.
The whole thing revolves around belief, not proof. There is no proof that there is a God. (There could be one, of course, or perhaps more than one or a very, very complicated one. Who knows?) England had a very difficult time with the animosity between Catholics and Protestants, what Henry VIII did, what Bloody Mary tried to do and the role in played in this civil.
The war involved England, Scotland Ireland, Catholics, Protestants and Calvinists and resulted according to the book in around 800,000 people dying. It also resulted in the death of a king, an attempt to blow up parliament, a variety of battles and a lot more that this book does a good job of covering.
It all fits the old adage 'the more things change the more things stay the same.'
The whole thing revolves around belief, not proof. There is no proof that there is a God. (There could be one, of course, or perhaps more than one or a very, very complicated one. Who knows?) England had a very difficult time with the animosity between Catholics and Protestants, what Henry VIII did, what Bloody Mary tried to do and the role in played in this civil.
The war involved England, Scotland Ireland, Catholics, Protestants and Calvinists and resulted according to the book in around 800,000 people dying. It also resulted in the death of a king, an attempt to blow up parliament, a variety of battles and a lot more that this book does a good job of covering.
It all fits the old adage 'the more things change the more things stay the same.'
July 23, 2021
What Civil War???
My only knowledge of the English Civil Wars was that a guy named Cromwell took over the rule of England for awhile. Things, it turns out, were a bit more complicated than that. I’m not big on battles (Col. Smith lined up his 39,400 troops facing Jones Hill yada yada yada) but this short book does leave the reader with at least some clue how the whole mess started and how it ended. Little details like Cromwell’s soldiers were owed back pay are as telling as the ongoing Church of England/Catholic/Puritan bloodbath. I can’t say I was fascinated but I am a little less ignorant about a really important part of English history.
My only knowledge of the English Civil Wars was that a guy named Cromwell took over the rule of England for awhile. Things, it turns out, were a bit more complicated than that. I’m not big on battles (Col. Smith lined up his 39,400 troops facing Jones Hill yada yada yada) but this short book does leave the reader with at least some clue how the whole mess started and how it ended. Little details like Cromwell’s soldiers were owed back pay are as telling as the ongoing Church of England/Catholic/Puritan bloodbath. I can’t say I was fascinated but I am a little less ignorant about a really important part of English history.
March 17, 2019
The King is dead or rather Charles the first.
The first English civil war saw the end of Charles the first and a kings absolute rule in many ways. A parliment was now another viable branch of government that approved such as taxation and laws. Also now a freestanding army came into being and was not just used as the politcal sword of the monarch. Naturally the fight for religion, Presbytarian for Scotland, Roman Catholic for Ireland, and the Church of England added to the misery. At 40 percent of the pre three civil wars population dead as a result....wow!
The first English civil war saw the end of Charles the first and a kings absolute rule in many ways. A parliment was now another viable branch of government that approved such as taxation and laws. Also now a freestanding army came into being and was not just used as the politcal sword of the monarch. Naturally the fight for religion, Presbytarian for Scotland, Roman Catholic for Ireland, and the Church of England added to the misery. At 40 percent of the pre three civil wars population dead as a result....wow!
September 14, 2019
So we're covering the colonies in APUSH, and of course we need to delve into how England has domestic issues that occupy much of her attention and allow the colonies to do their own thing. Salutary neglect and all that. So I picked this up for a quick refresher and background, and it did a damn fine job of the three English Civil Wars between the monarch and parliament, with lots of religious conflict as well.
I made a note: Rump Parliament. I had forgotten about that after so many years from high school. Ha ha! I need to tell my "rump roast."
I made a note: Rump Parliament. I had forgotten about that after so many years from high school. Ha ha! I need to tell my "rump roast."
February 24, 2021
The English Civil War Moved the UK Closer to Being a Repulic
King Charles I could have compromised with the English Parliament but he chose to fight them and it cost him his life and greatly strengthened Parliament’s role in the English Government. This was a huge step towards England’s destiny to become a Constitutional Monarchy.
A excellent concise history of this important period in English History.
King Charles I could have compromised with the English Parliament but he chose to fight them and it cost him his life and greatly strengthened Parliament’s role in the English Government. This was a huge step towards England’s destiny to become a Constitutional Monarchy.
A excellent concise history of this important period in English History.
February 19, 2019
I did not know that the
English had so much civil unrest or that that is where Oliver Cromwell entered their history. Reading of their 3 civil wars makes me wonder if the negative effect on the English military may have been a significant contributor to the American victory in our war for independence. Some interesting speculation that will lead me to read more on this subject.
English had so much civil unrest or that that is where Oliver Cromwell entered their history. Reading of their 3 civil wars makes me wonder if the negative effect on the English military may have been a significant contributor to the American victory in our war for independence. Some interesting speculation that will lead me to read more on this subject.
December 22, 2025
The English civil war was a series of conflicts. The tensions between Charles I and Parliament resulted in the execution of Charles I. This resulted in the abolition of the monarchy (later restored) and saw the establishment of the commonwealth of England.
The English civil wars were very chaotic and reading about them felt the same. The book chronicles all the dizzying events.
The English civil wars were very chaotic and reading about them felt the same. The book chronicles all the dizzying events.
August 3, 2017
Suchhhhh a fascinating short story of the English civil wars. If you're interested in Scotland and England in the 1600s I highly recommend. This will also bring some factual understanding of what goes on in the Diana gabaldon outlander series since the series begins with the war and the Stuarts.
March 21, 2021
Interesting but lacked some post civil war details that would have been relevant. Would’ve liked more statistics also but it was only a limited amount of info given the time frame. Worth a read given the short nature of the book though.
July 9, 2021
English civil war: a history from beginning to end
An enjoyable sketch of perhaps the most significant period in English and British history. Hopefully readers will continue their interest in this fascinating period.
An enjoyable sketch of perhaps the most significant period in English and British history. Hopefully readers will continue their interest in this fascinating period.
January 17, 2018
very good , defo worth a go
December 24, 2018
Interesting hourly history...
December 25, 2018
A good book to get a basic understanding of a turbulent time in UK history. Worth reading.
October 18, 2019
A nice concise introduction to a period of history inexplicably missing from the syllabus when I was at school.
September 15, 2020
Basic fact; like ALL of the books involved in the "Hourly History" series ! 😁
December 6, 2020
A snapshot of the English Civil War.
January 2, 2021
Fantastic--probably the best hourly history I have read. Really well written, and at points with descriptions of battles unexpectedly dense and in the weeds. Highly recommended to anyone.
September 12, 2022
Good account that covers the major players and battles.
December 23, 2022
Well compiled, and mostly well written.
March 8, 2023
This one could have gotten 4 stars…
…had it been better edited.
Otherwise it’s a good, succinct history of the English Civil Wars. It’s still worth reading.
…had it been better edited.
Otherwise it’s a good, succinct history of the English Civil Wars. It’s still worth reading.
May 8, 2023
Honest review
Short, insightful account with brief details of notable conflicts. Was a pleasant introductory read to an important period of English history.
Short, insightful account with brief details of notable conflicts. Was a pleasant introductory read to an important period of English history.
November 24, 2023
New Learning!
I never knew there was a civil war in England. I like these books as they provide a concise overview of history. I recommend the series!
I never knew there was a civil war in England. I like these books as they provide a concise overview of history. I recommend the series!
February 22, 2017
This is a book part of the Hourly History series explaining the English Civil War between the Parliamentarians and the Royalists during the 17th Century post the Union of Crowns following the House of Stuart from Scotland ascending the throne in England.
The book starts with the events that led to the Civil War; such as the disappointment of King James I (James VI of Scotland) over the Parliament’s extreme control over the affairs of the country which was taken up by his successor Charles I who dissolved the parliament which eventually led to a bloody Civil War between those who supported the parliamentarians and those who supported the royals; not just in England, but throughout Great Britain and Ireland.
The book was ordered chronologically and the factors that determined the allegiance of the society was explained well (primarily religion). The focus on how each side tried to raise funds and gain support for the war was also covered well and I also liked the fact that the book, at the end of the day, managed to cover the English Civil War briefly over an hour.
The only aspect which I probably missed was that I felt that the most prominent figure of the war (and also post the war); the Parliamentarian Oliver Cromwell, who went on to become the Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland after the war; his role was barely covered in the book and also, I felt that the author could have added a paragraph on Cromwell’s subsequent rule post the war in the conclusion.
On the whole, I would award the book a rating of four.
The book starts with the events that led to the Civil War; such as the disappointment of King James I (James VI of Scotland) over the Parliament’s extreme control over the affairs of the country which was taken up by his successor Charles I who dissolved the parliament which eventually led to a bloody Civil War between those who supported the parliamentarians and those who supported the royals; not just in England, but throughout Great Britain and Ireland.
The book was ordered chronologically and the factors that determined the allegiance of the society was explained well (primarily religion). The focus on how each side tried to raise funds and gain support for the war was also covered well and I also liked the fact that the book, at the end of the day, managed to cover the English Civil War briefly over an hour.
The only aspect which I probably missed was that I felt that the most prominent figure of the war (and also post the war); the Parliamentarian Oliver Cromwell, who went on to become the Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland after the war; his role was barely covered in the book and also, I felt that the author could have added a paragraph on Cromwell’s subsequent rule post the war in the conclusion.
On the whole, I would award the book a rating of four.
January 9, 2017
Trabalho honesto que é aquilo que pretende ser: uma síntese dos principais factos que marcaram os tempos conturbados da Inglaterra, em meados do século XVII.
February 9, 2017
“Princes are not bound to give an account of their Actions but to God alone.”
King Charles I of England, Scotland, and Ireland
When Queen Elizabeth I died on March 24, 1603, and with no heir apparent from the House of Tudor to take her place, the crown of England passed to King James I, King of Scotland; King James was from the House of Stuart. This transition of power made him king of England, Scotland, and Ireland. These three countries intricately differed from one another. Whereas England was predominantly Protestant, Scotland’s citizens were Calvinists, and the Irish, Catholic. Each place had differing ideas of the royal powers. Although there were numerous plots and revolts under King James’s reign, a relative peace was maintained until 1618 when the Thirty Years War started. This war, lasting until 1648 saw almost all of Europe involved at one stage or another. England, under King James, entered the conflict, costing the population dearly in both monies and human lives. When parliament withheld requested funds, a riff started between king and parliament.
The conflict commonly referred to as the English Civil War was, in fact, three progressive variances. As in all wars (especially civil wars), the loss of property, human life, and the suffering of combatants and civilians is heart-wrenching when viewed on a personal level. With the eventual levying of income and property taxes (exactly the reason Parliament entered the conflict with King James), Parliament continued to finance and wage war. The first conflict, 1642-1646, second 1648, and third 1649-1651, cost an estimated 800,000 casualties. Parliament ultimately won, King Charles was executed, and Oliver Cromwell assumed power and the Commonwealth of England are formed. Once more a war is fought; lives lost, changes introduced, later to be revoked, making the entire war a moot point.
This is another prime example of a concise history condensed into an hour read. It highlights an event by serving it up to the reader in small easily digested narratives. If you are looking to learn a little about everything or a lot about something, this is a good way to begin.
King Charles I of England, Scotland, and Ireland
When Queen Elizabeth I died on March 24, 1603, and with no heir apparent from the House of Tudor to take her place, the crown of England passed to King James I, King of Scotland; King James was from the House of Stuart. This transition of power made him king of England, Scotland, and Ireland. These three countries intricately differed from one another. Whereas England was predominantly Protestant, Scotland’s citizens were Calvinists, and the Irish, Catholic. Each place had differing ideas of the royal powers. Although there were numerous plots and revolts under King James’s reign, a relative peace was maintained until 1618 when the Thirty Years War started. This war, lasting until 1648 saw almost all of Europe involved at one stage or another. England, under King James, entered the conflict, costing the population dearly in both monies and human lives. When parliament withheld requested funds, a riff started between king and parliament.
The conflict commonly referred to as the English Civil War was, in fact, three progressive variances. As in all wars (especially civil wars), the loss of property, human life, and the suffering of combatants and civilians is heart-wrenching when viewed on a personal level. With the eventual levying of income and property taxes (exactly the reason Parliament entered the conflict with King James), Parliament continued to finance and wage war. The first conflict, 1642-1646, second 1648, and third 1649-1651, cost an estimated 800,000 casualties. Parliament ultimately won, King Charles was executed, and Oliver Cromwell assumed power and the Commonwealth of England are formed. Once more a war is fought; lives lost, changes introduced, later to be revoked, making the entire war a moot point.
This is another prime example of a concise history condensed into an hour read. It highlights an event by serving it up to the reader in small easily digested narratives. If you are looking to learn a little about everything or a lot about something, this is a good way to begin.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews