Just Finished Reading: A Brief History of The English Civil Wars – Roundheads, Cavaliers and the Execution of the King by John Miller (FP: 2009)

I for one am deeply fascinated with our 17th century Civil War(s). It was a truly unique time in our history – a real turning point which produced a Parliament that was sovereign and removed the divine right of monarchs. Before the war(s) Parliament was only called by the King to raise taxes for whatever scheme he wanted to do but couldn’t afford from his own resources. Parliament used this needs as leverage to pass new laws or modify old ones. Once the King (or more rarely Queen) got what they wanted then Parliament was dismissed until the next tax demand. Sometimes years went by without any Parliaments and there was nothing that could be done about it.

Towards the mid-17th century that changed. Parliament – in the guise of the House of Commons – grew more distant and less compliant with the King’s wishes. After he dismissed a sitting because it would not raise taxes for him the King was forced to call another Parliament which swiftly passed a law to prevent it being dissolved at whim. Relations between the monarchy and Parliament gradually became worse until, not without misgivings, the Commons raised an armed force to protect itself from the King’s machinations and recriminations. With positions hardening on both sides and with bought sides stockpiling weapons it was only a matter of time before conflict broke out. In the subsequent 10 years 211,000 people died – mostly civilians and other non-combatants. Proportionally more English died in the Civil Wars than in WW1. It is no surprise that some thought the wars raging across much of England, Scotland and Ireland to be a herald of the End Times. No surprise either that the civil chaos in some areas prompted truly radical political alternatives not seen thereafter before idea proposed by Karl Mark and other 19th century radical thinkers.

But if the wars themselves were not a radical statement enough – being fought between the divinely appointed King and his supposedly compliant subjects – the end of the war brought with it a shock that reverberated across Europe. The King was brought to trial for crimes against his own people, convicted (without any real legal basis) and publically executed. Then followed the only 12 years in English history without a monarch – known as The Commonwealth or, by Royalists, as the wonderfully named Interregnum. Initially run by Parliament it was in 1653 that Oliver Cromwell, Parliaments greatest general and the creator of the battle winning New Model Army, took power under the Protectorate until his death in 1659. With no agreed path to succession a new King – Charles II – took back the throne in 1660 but things were no longer the same as the world had indeed truly changed.

Covering a great deal of ground in just 211 pages this is an excellent introduction to a fascinating period of British history full of intrigue, passion, battles, political upheaval and, oddly, hope for the future. It is arguable that when the dust had settled from the world being turned upside down Britain emerged into the modern age. The birth pangs of modernity were undeniably harsh but the stability of the United Kingdom since then has been fairly impressive compared to the rest of Europe. Definitely recommended.