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Spotlight on the English Civil War
This book examines the events of the most turbulent years in British history - the mid- seventeenth century. Using contemporary quotations and illustrations, the author traces the development of the struggle that led to civil war, the execution of the King, the rule of Cromwell and, eventually, the restoration of the monarchy.
78 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1986
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 18, 2022
King Charles I's chaotic reign (1625-1649) was undoubtedly the catalyst for the English Civil Wars. He believed passionately that he had been given his authority by God, and that those who questioned it also questioned the Divine will. His kingship between 1629 and 1640 was called 'The Eleven Years Tyranny'.
His decision to rule without Parliament meant he had to find money elsewhere and the taxes he imposed, such as Ship Money, caused uproar and when that money began to be used for purposes other than for what it was intended, the trouble escalated. And his relationship with the Church was also a source of aggravation; brought up in the Church of England he had married Henrietta Maria, a staunch Roman Catholic. However he gained a supporter in William Laud, who he appointed Archbishop of Canterbury and with whom he used the royal authority to try to restore the Church and silence the Calvinists and other radical Protestants.
He came into conflict with Scotland and the First Bishops' War was the result. He fell out with Laud, who was subsequently executed, and one of his one-time supporters, Wentworth, Earl of Strafford, met the same fate. A rebellion in Ireland followed and in 1642 the Battle of Edgehill was fought, with both sides, Royalists and Parliamentarians claiming victory.
Enter Oliver Cromwell who defeated Prince Rupert at the Battle of Marston Moor in 1644. Cromwell then created the New Model Army which defeated Charles' army at the Battle of Naseby in 1645. The following year the King surrendered to the Scottish Covenanters and a year later the army seized Charles and occupied London.
Charles had a brief respite when he escaped to the Isle of Wight before the second of the civil wars erupted in 1648; the Scots were defeated by Cromwell at the Battle of Preston in that year. And despite proclaiming that he stood for the 'Liberty of the People of England', in 1649 Charles was tried and subsequently executed.
This left Cromwell in a quandary, wondering how he was to replace the role played by the King. The answer was that a Commonwealth was declared with the Monarchy and House of Lords being formally abolished. The third element of the civil war was played out in 1650 when the Scots were defeated at the Battle of Dunbar before in 1651, Charles II was crowned King of Scotland. But he could go no further at that time for he was defeated at the Battle of Worcester and fled.
The country was still in chaos and in 1653 Cromwell was proclaimed Lord Protector, a role he fulfilled until his death in 1658. His son Richard briefly took over but he was not up to the task and in 1660 the Restoration took place, with Charles II succeeding to the throne.
Using some excellent contemporary illustrations and quotations from many who were involved Tom Gibb has produced a book that is excellent in its detail and a useful adjunct to any study of the English Civil War.
His decision to rule without Parliament meant he had to find money elsewhere and the taxes he imposed, such as Ship Money, caused uproar and when that money began to be used for purposes other than for what it was intended, the trouble escalated. And his relationship with the Church was also a source of aggravation; brought up in the Church of England he had married Henrietta Maria, a staunch Roman Catholic. However he gained a supporter in William Laud, who he appointed Archbishop of Canterbury and with whom he used the royal authority to try to restore the Church and silence the Calvinists and other radical Protestants.
He came into conflict with Scotland and the First Bishops' War was the result. He fell out with Laud, who was subsequently executed, and one of his one-time supporters, Wentworth, Earl of Strafford, met the same fate. A rebellion in Ireland followed and in 1642 the Battle of Edgehill was fought, with both sides, Royalists and Parliamentarians claiming victory.
Enter Oliver Cromwell who defeated Prince Rupert at the Battle of Marston Moor in 1644. Cromwell then created the New Model Army which defeated Charles' army at the Battle of Naseby in 1645. The following year the King surrendered to the Scottish Covenanters and a year later the army seized Charles and occupied London.
Charles had a brief respite when he escaped to the Isle of Wight before the second of the civil wars erupted in 1648; the Scots were defeated by Cromwell at the Battle of Preston in that year. And despite proclaiming that he stood for the 'Liberty of the People of England', in 1649 Charles was tried and subsequently executed.
This left Cromwell in a quandary, wondering how he was to replace the role played by the King. The answer was that a Commonwealth was declared with the Monarchy and House of Lords being formally abolished. The third element of the civil war was played out in 1650 when the Scots were defeated at the Battle of Dunbar before in 1651, Charles II was crowned King of Scotland. But he could go no further at that time for he was defeated at the Battle of Worcester and fled.
The country was still in chaos and in 1653 Cromwell was proclaimed Lord Protector, a role he fulfilled until his death in 1658. His son Richard briefly took over but he was not up to the task and in 1660 the Restoration took place, with Charles II succeeding to the throne.
Using some excellent contemporary illustrations and quotations from many who were involved Tom Gibb has produced a book that is excellent in its detail and a useful adjunct to any study of the English Civil War.
June 22, 2025
Super easy to follow. I could actually imagine what it was like back then. I kind of ended up feeling bad for the Royalists, which surprised me, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing. It just showed both sides in a very humanized way, and I liked that.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews