Dr Warmington's examination of the impact of the Civil War in Gloucestershire begins with the descent into war between 1640 and 1642, showing how the two sides formed and why the Parliamentarians had the more durable war machine. He then goes on to consider the anarchic situation between 1645 and 1649, and the series of new experiments in government which followed until 1660. The book demonstrates how the war created an almost entirely new governing group of minor gentlemen, based on military service to the regime and religious affiliations, looks at the vexed question of the cultural dimensions of popular allegiance in the period, and examines popular activity (or lack of it) in Gloucestershire's distinct regions of Vale, Wold and Forest during the Civil War. The attempted rebellion of 1659 is examined in detail.

Honoring the memory of Professor Alan Everitt, who advanced the fruitful notion of the county community during the 17th century, this volume proposes some modifications to Everitt's influential hypotheses in the light of the best recent scholarship. With an important reevaluation of political engagement in civil war Kent and an assessment of numerous midland and southern counties as well as Wales, this record evaluates the extraordinary impact of Everitt's book and the debate it provoked. Comprehensive and enlightening, this collection suggests future directions for research into the relationship between the center and localities in 17th-century England.

Why did England's one experiment in republican rule fail? Oliver Cromwell's death in 1658 sparked a period of unrivalled turmoil and confusion in English history. In less than two years, there were close to ten changes of government; rival armies of Englishmen faced each other across the Scottish border; and the Long Parliament was finally dissolved after two decades. Why was this period so turbulent, and why did the republic, backed by a formidable standing army, come crashing down in such spectacular fashion? In this fascinating history, Henry Reece explores the full story of the English republic's downfall. Questioning the accepted version of events, Reece argues that the restoration of the monarchy was far from inevitable--and that the republican regime could have survived long term. Richard Cromwell's Protectorate had deep roots in the political nation, the Rump Parliament mobilised its supporters impressively, and the country showed little interest in returning to the old order until the republic had collapsed. This is a compelling account that transforms our understanding of England's short-lived period of republican rule.

From 1649 to 1660 England was ruled by a standing army for the only time in its history. This is the first study to describe the nature of that experience, both for members of the army and for civilian society. It offers new perspectives on Oliver Cromwell, the Major-Generals, and the reasons for the restoration of the Stuart monarchy in 1660.

The first dedicated study of the practice of changing sides during the English Civil Wars. Reveals how side-changing shaped the course of the English Revolution, even contributing to the regicide itself, and remained an important political legacy to the English speaking peoples thereafter.

This is just one of eight key questions about the period that Clive Holmes answers in a clear and informed manner.

With chronologies, biographies, key documents, maps, genealogies, an extensive bibliography and packed with facts and figures, this is an invaluable, user-friendly and compact compendium examining all aspects of the period from James I to Queen Anne.