The mid-17th century was one of the most explosive periods in history across the British Isles. In England, a desperate king fought bitterly against his defiant Parliament; in Scotland religious turmoil sparked invasions from the north; and in Ireland, an oppressive regime led to an all-out Catholic rebellion. In this bookazine, we explore the how all these events, and more, combined to make up the British Civil Wars, from the political machinations of Parliament to the bloody battlefield clashes at Edgehill, Naseby and Marston Moor. We follow the meteoric rise of Oliver Cromwell and his New Model Army, as well as the tragic decline of Charles I – a king executed by his own subjects. We also investigate how the countries transformed in the period of Interregnum, for better and for worse, before taking a look at how the monarchy made a stunningly peaceful return during the Restoration. Whether you’re an enthusiastic novice or a seasoned history buff, there are a wealth of expert features, illustrated battle maps and superb imagery for you within these pages. Featuring: Kingdoms at war - Explore the turbulent political scenes in England, Scotland and Ireland that sowed the seeds of war. King vs. Parliament - Naseby, Marston Moor and the execution of Charles I – experience the brutality of the Civil Wars. Cromwell’s reign - Discover how some prospered and other suffered under the Lord Protector’s authoritarian rule. Road to Restoration - Follow the political machinations that brought down the Protectorate and restored the British monarchy.
HISTORY WAR Book of the BRITISH CIVIL WARS
OLIVER CROMWELL: KING KILLER • Discover how a struggling farmer destroyed the most powerful man in England
CROMWELL VS KING
RELIGIOUS DIFFERENCES
WHY DID THE ROUNDHEADS WIN?
THE FINAL HOURS OF A TRAITOR
THE STATE OF THE THREE KINGDOMS • In the decades preceding the Civil Wars, England, Scotland and Ireland all faced political turmoil
TIMELINE
DEFINING MOMENTS
SPANISH MATCH • The controversial marriage plan that was eventually cancelled
THE PERILS OF PERSONAL RULE • King Charles I chose to rule from 1629 to 1640 without a Parliament; his opponents called it the ‘Eleven Years’ Tyranny’
QUEEN CONSORT AND CATHOLICISM • The king’s French wife was treated with suspicion by many for her religious beliefs
PARLIAMENT’S PATH TO POWER • From the Anglo-Saxons to the reign of Charles I, Parliament evolved to wield power that shaped the future of England, Scotland and Ireland
THE SEAT OF PARLIAMENTARY POWER • The history of the Houses of Parliament spans over 900 years, from the Anglo-Saxons to the present
TURNING POINTS • Major watersheds in the history of Parliament
TIMELINE
WARS OF WORDS AND WORSHIP • In the Bishops’ Wars, King Charles I sought to subdue Scotland over the accepted conventions of worship and found himself rebuffed
FROM RIPON TO LONDON • The terms of the original treaty were formalised in London
TIMELINE OF THE BISHOPS’ WARS
THE SHORT PARLIAMENT • The Short Parliament was only in session for three weeks and was the first Parliament to be called in 11 years
TROUBLE IN IRELAND: THE CATHOLIC UPRISING • As tensions rose between king and Parliament in England, the fragile situation in Ireland spilled over into all-out rebellion
THREE KEY EVENTS
TIMELINE
KEY FIGURE: JAMES BUTLER • 1st duke of Ormonde (1610-88)
THE ARREST OF THE FIVE MEMBERS • Charles’s entry into the House of Commons is commemorated at the state opening of Parliament by the British monarch each year
TIMELINE OF… THE BRITISH CIVIL WARS • With the complete erosion of Charles I’s relationship with Parliament, armed conflict became inevitable. Here we present the key events that...