In this concise and accessible biography, Martyn Bennett examines the life of Oliver Cromwell one of the most controversial figures in world history. This study challenges long-held perceptions of Cromwell and the Commonwealth, arguing that they need to be placed at the core of early Modern British and Irish history.

Charting his early career, the origins of his political and religious thought, and the development of his notions of governance that influenced him as Lord Protector, Martyn Bennett contests the post-Restoration vilification of Cromwell to examine how his influence has shaped notions of citizenship, identity and governance and informed the relationship between religion and the state in Britain.

This radical interpretation will give students a clearer view of the motivations and achievements of a fascinating and pivotal figure in British history.

The English Civil War (1642-53) is one of the most crucial periods in British history. Martyn Bennett introduces the reader to the main debates surrounding the Civil War which continue to be debated by historians. He considers the repercussions both on government and religion, of Parliament's failure to secure stability after the Royalist defeat in 1646, and argues that this opened the way for far more radical reforms. The book deals with the military campaigns in all four nations, placing the war in its full British and Irish context.

The English Civil War (1642-53) is one of the most crucial periods in British history. Martyn Bennett introduces the reader to the main debates surrounding the Civil War which continue to be debated by historians. He considers the repercussions both on government and religion, of Parliament's failure to secure stability after the Royalist defeat in 1646, and argues that this opened the way for far more radical reforms. The book deals with the military campaigns in all four nations, placing the war in its full British and Irish context.

In this collection of essays, a range of established and early-career scholars explore a variety of different perspectives on Oliver Cromwell's involvement with Ireland, in particular his military campaign of 1649-1650. In England and Wales Cromwell is regarded as a figure of national importance; in Ireland his reputation remains highly controversial. The essays gathered together here provide a fresh take on his Irish campaign, reassessing the backdrop and context of the prevailing siege warfare strategy and offering new insights into other major players such as Henry Ireton and the Marquis of Ormond. Other topics include, but are not limited to, the Cromwellian land settlement, deportation of prisoners and popular memory of Cromwell in Ireland. Overall, a picture emerges of a more moderate Cromwell than the version that has been passed down in Irish history, tradition and folklore. CONTRIBUTORS: Martyn Bennett, Heidi J. Coburn, Sarah Covington, John Cunningham, Eamon Darcy, David Farr, Padraig Lenihan, Alan Marshall, Nick Poyntz, Tom Reilly, James Scott Wheeler

In this concise and accessible biography, Martyn Bennett examines the life of Oliver Cromwell a " one of the most controversial figures in world history. This study challenges long-held perceptions of Cromwell and the Commonwealth, arguing that they need to be placed at the core of early Modern British and Irish history.

Charting his early career, the origins of his political and religious thought, and the development of his notions of governance that influenced him as Lord Protector, Martyn Bennett contests the post-Restoration vilification of Cromwell to examine how his influence has shaped notions of citizenship, identity and governance and informed the relationship between religion and the state in Britain.

This radical interpretation will give students a clearer view of the motivations and achievements of a fascinating and pivotal figure in British history.

The People's War is an exciting new history of the civil war, which recounts the effects of the civil war on the common people. This engaging survey throws new light onto a century of violence and political and social upheaval.
By looking at personal sources such as diaries, petitions, letters and social/public sources including the press, Martyn Bennett clearly sets out the true social and cultural effects which the wars had on the peoples of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland and how common experiences transcended national and regional boundaries.
The People's War discusses exactly how far-reaching the changes caused by civil war actually were for both women and men and carefully assesses individual reactions towards it. For most people fear, familial concerns and material priorities dictate their lives, but for others the civil revolutions provided a positive vehicle for their own spiritual and religious development.
By placing the military and political developments of the civil wars into a social context, Martyn Bennett is able to portray a very different interpretation of a century of regicide and republic.

During the 17th century the British Isles were trapped in a 23-year-long state of turmoil through civil war, continued rebellion, and revolution. King Charles I wanted to instil a new uniform religious policy thoughout the British Isles, and this cause a massive uproar over the King's policies towards the diverse people in his kingdom, the English, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh. No person remained unaffected in the Kingdom, and eventually King Charles I was executed and the entire system of monarcy tumbled into a short-lived republic. Eventually there was a restoration of the monarchy under King Charles II and the history of the British Isles in the 17th century remains forever marked by its tumultuous nature. Through a concise historical chronology and comprehensive overview, this book offers readers an explanation of the people, places, and events that indelibly shape the United Kingdom's 17th century history. The cross-listed dictionary entries provide an explanation of each important aspect of the Civil War and its effect on the kingdom.

In this collection of essays, a range of established and early-career scholars explore a variety of different perspectives on Oliver Cromwell’s involvement with Ireland, in particular his military campaign of 1649-1650. In England and Wales Cromwell is regarded as a figure of national importance; in Ireland his reputation remains highly controversial. The essays gathered together here provide a fresh take on his Irish campaign, reassessing the backdrop and context of the prevailing siege warfare strategy and offering new insights into other major players such as Henry Ireton and the Marquis of Ormond. Other topics include, but are not limited to, the Cromwellian land settlement, deportation of prisoners and popular memory of Cromwell in Ireland. Overall, a picture emerges of a more moderate Cromwell than the version that has been passed down in Irish history, tradition and folklore. CONTRIBUTORS: Martyn Bennett, Heidi J. Coburn, Sarah Covington, John Cunningham, Eamon Darcy, David Farr, Padraig Lenihan, Alan Marshall, Nick Poyntz, Tom Reilly, James Scott Wheeler

This book is the first study to reassess the nature of the royalist cause in the North midland counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire Rutland and Staffordshire during the first civil war (1642-1646). Previous accounts of the war in the region have been heavily dependent on parliamentarian accounts, which were not written in order to create a thorough narrative of the war, but to demonise the royalists and their cause. The resultant image created by the hostile accounts was a war of confusing, rapine and disorder. Examination of a wider range of information showed that by contrast the royalists had a regional command structure which exploited thoroughly at times the resources of the region to fund their war effort. However, there were several problems within that war effort. Command was subject to internal rivalries and the interference of the king. Moreover the higher levels of command in the royalist cause created problems for the royalist commander Lord Loughborough, as his region was divided between different commanders at several points in the war. These conflicts are explored in this book.

Martyn Bennett here provides the first military biography of Cromwell in the context of the seventeenth century Military Revolution. After commanding a small troop in 1643 and, without prior military experience, Cromwell rose to lead the cavalry regiments of the Eastern Association Army and the New Model Army to final victory at Worcester in 1651 and sealed the victory of the Parliamentary forces in Ireland and Scotland, becoming Lord General in 1650. Martyn Bennett analyses Cromwell's military talents and generalship, in addition to his well-attested powerful and even brutal discipline and religious fervour. He examines the controversial Irish campaigns as well as modern accusations of genocide. In providing new perspectives on Cromwell's military career, Bennett adds to our understanding of England's only non-royal head of state.

When a large number of the people in Scotland rejected King Charles I's religious policy, they set in motion a train of events that resonated throughout England, Wales, and Ireland and challenged the rule of the king. Between 1637 and 1660 the British Isles were embroiled in a series of wars, rebellions, and revolutions that affected not only all the political and social institutions within them, but all of the people living there. Radical changes in the political relationships within the four nations sparked a series of wars that brought far-reaching political revolution. By spring 1649 the king had been executed, the monarchy abolished in England and Wales, and a republic established. The 1650s saw Scotland and Ireland incorporated into the republic as the wars finally ended. The republic had a brief life but by 1660 it was ended and the monarchy restored, the united nation established in 1653 was again broken into its component parts, and the old institutions seemingly returned to preeminence. This second edition of Historical Dictionary of the British and Irish Civil Wars 1637-1660 contains a chronology, an introduction, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 700 cross-referenced entries on important personalities, politics, and military technology, as well as descriptions of the battles of the war. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about this period in history.

During the 17th century, the British Isles were trapped in a 23 year-long state of turmoil through civil war, continued rebellion, and revolutions. King Charles I wanted to instill a new uniform religious policy throughout the British Isles, and this caused a massive uproar over the King's policies toward the diverse people in his empire-the English, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh. No person remained unaffected in the kingdom and eventually King Charles I was executed and the entire system of monarchy tumbled into a short-lived republic. Eventually the monarchy was restored under King Charles II, but the history of the British Isle in the seventeenth century remains forever marked by its tumultuous nature. Through a concise historical chronology and comprehensive overview, users of The A to Z of the British and Irish Civil Wars 1637-1660 will find an insightful explanation of the people, places, and events that indelibly shape the United Kingdom's 17th-century history. The cross-listed dictionary entries offer a complete explanation of each important aspect of the Civil Wars and their effect on the Kingdom. It also includes maps and a bibliography.