The History of England

The English Commonwealth took a very different approach to settling the threats which had faced it in 1649, and the future of the three kingdoms. In Ireland, the guiding principle was retribution; in Scotland some effort at least of collaboration. To a new threat the response was uncompromising - it was war. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

So, while the army was away, August 1649 to September 1651 what had the Rump parliament been doing to build the promised new world of Liberty? We find out that social reform takes a back seat to moral reform - the Garland of the Sea - and picking fights with friends. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The deal struck between the Covenanters and Charles brought an invasion from the Commonwealth that faced annihalation at Dunbar in September 1650. Exactly a year later, the end game of Charles' attempt to detroy the Republic came to a head outside Worcester - which John Adams wouild call the 'Ground of Liberty'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Council of State were convinced that only General Cromwell could deliver victory in Ireland; and Cromwell used this to negotiate the best possible supply of men, money and material. From August 1649 to May 1650 Cromwell's campaign brought the Confederacy close to defeat, and he visited two infamous atrocities on the towns of Drogheda and Wexford. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Part two, about 30 questions I think; Religion, the public Sphere, culture - and a couple of 'What Ifs' which were really good fun Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We had a vast number of brilliant quesrtions. Sam (Pax Britannica) and David (of this parish) had a lovely time - but went on a bit, there's no denying it. So this is part I, about 25 questions, mostly about politics and the civil wars themselves Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In April 1649 the new Commonwealth was under siege, enemies with and without. The Levelers saw the new Commonwealth as a betrayal of the revolution, and set out to raise rebellion against the Rump and the Grandees, to set soldiers against their officers and people against their parliament. Meanwhile, Gerald Winstanley started writing furious pamphelts, demanding social reform - and a True Leveling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On 30th January, Charles I went to the scaffold, the first king to be publicly tried and executed by his people. He died with enormous dignity - and was duly proclaimed a martyr. With the king gone, a new state was proclaimed in his place - based on the sovereignty of the people, and ruled by a House of Commons that representated it, with the executive Council of State. As the Commonwealth's servants, John Milton and Marchamont Nedham worked to proclaim it's legitimacy, enemies both internal and external circled. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I am about to start a new series for Shedcast members, called Birth of Britain. It takes British history from the year dot to somewhere around 600. So I am starting the series off with an interview with friend and archaeologist Dr Richard Grove, to give us a bit of an overview. This episode is an extract from that interview. I thought that (a) you would find it interesting and that (b) it might persuade you might sign up to be a member at The History of England Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Once the decision was taken to put Charles on trial, the Commissiobners agonised about the detail at Westminster; the trial must be seen to be fair. But few can have doubted its outcome. The theatre of the trial was almost a gladatorial contest between representatives of the two sides, in the form of President Bradshaw, and King Charles Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The New Model, Levellers and Radical MPs reacted with steely determination to the adoption of the Newport treaty. It was probably Ireton that inspired Pride's Purge. Ireton it was also that drove the development of the constitutional proposal that followed, forged in the Whitehall Debates - the Agreement of the People. That would have to wait though, because more immediate questions were at hand. What now to do with this incorrigible king? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In July. Hamilton launched his army of Scots across the border, in confident expectation that his 14,000 would be swelled by enthusiastic English royalists. England would know it's fate at Preston, when the opposimg commanders, Hamilton and Cromwell, threw the dice. While parliament would receive two proposals for a lasting peace; the Remonstranbce of the Army, penned by Ireton, Radical MPs and Levellers; and the Newport Treaty from their commissioners and the king. Which way would the bones fall? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If the people of England had gone to war to build a better world, by January 1648 they were seriously unimpressed with what Utopia looked like. The issues that distressed the people were legion - taxes, religion, sequestration, omne daft ideas about equality, county committees - even Christmas! And when news of the King's Engagement with the Scots got out, well, some people saw that as an opportunity to restore the right order of things. Which would surely only come well the World was turned rightside up again, and the King Came Into His Own once more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In November 1647 at Corkbush field near Ware, Fairfax faced a dangerous threat to army unity - the work of the Leveller Agitators had incited some regiments to mutiny, in support of the Agreeent of the People. Meanwhile Charles had fled Hampton Court; he would find his new home even less to his liking. Until he had a strictly private discussion with the Scots... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following the attenpt by parliament to close the army down without pay, and the resulting August 1647 coup, the army was a seething mass of worries and resentments. Thrown into the mix were the radical political ideas of the Levellers. Together, all of this threatened chaos and even mutiny. So Cromwell and Fairfax invited representatives of their brothers in arms to thrash all of this out in the open forum of the General Council of the Army, at the church of Sy Mary's in Putney, in October 1647. The resulting discusson is the earliest example of demands for genuine democratic reform in English history. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In July, England had the prospect of king, Fairfax and Army triumphantly entering London with a new, open and tolerant constitution and a bright future. But Charles had killed that. So, in the face of the hostility of parliament, and fortified by their Solemn Engagement, the New Model Army decided to take England's future into their own hands. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the king under their control, the determination of Fairfax's Army made Presbyterian parliamentarians buckle. And when Ireton presented the carefully worked Heads of Proposals to the Officers and Agitators at the Army General Council at Reading, it seemed that at last a peace agreement was within grasp. Once agreed, Fairfax and the Army could march into London with King Charles at its head, and a new world could begin. All that was needed was the king to agree to the best peace proposals he will ever receive, so good surely it'll be in the bag. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In 1647 The New Model Army became a battleground between Independant and Presbyterian factions. Thomas Fairfax and Oliver Cromwell were caught in the middle. As Holles came closer and closer to destroying the New Model, Fairfax might be forced to choose between the parliament whose rights he had fought to uphold, and justice for the soldiers with whom he'd lived and fought. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In June 1646 Charles' path had taken him to the Scots, on the hope he could persuade them to put him back on the English throne. But he was not prepared to pay their price, and in England Holles and the Presbyterian party saw a way to break the power of the New Model Amy and the Independents once and for all. And achieving the departure of the Scottish army was the key. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Levellers were not an organized, structured politial party or pressure group. They were a loose association of radicals who found they shared new ideas that sprang from their religious view, the chaos and freedoms of the time, and the possibility of change. In 1646 their first coherent petition hit the streets - The Remonstrance of Many Thousand Citizens Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In one sense this is a Tale of Two Cities - Oxford and London, HQs of King and Parliament. But the First Civil war is a conflict that reaches into every town, village and parish. There are national armies, regional armies, local armies and countless garrisons. Even commuities that try to reject any conflict - the Clubmen. This is the story of the First Civil War as king and parliament fight over religion and their version of the Ancient Constitution. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charles options in 1645 were increasingly limited, as Fairfax and Cromwell closed down garrison after garison, and parliament defeated the few remaining royalist field armies. In Ireland he sent an envoy with secret instructions to the Confederate Association - maybe new concessions would a fresh army of 10,000 men to turn things around? Or in Scotland, Montrose was still ripping Covenanter armies to pieces - and had marched into Glasgow and called a new Scottish parliament. Or maybe France would help? Jean de Montereul, Mazarin's diplomat, was making nice noises. Surely all was not yet over? After all, he was God's annointed facing mere rebels. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

17th Century was a century of change and revolution, a world beautifully described in the a rich and varied book, The Blazing World. Historian Jonathan Healey comes along to talk through some of the themes and events that make the century such a fascinating time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Naseby, Fairfax took the New Model on the Western Campaign, to deal with the last remaining significant royalist army in the field - George Goring at Taunton. On the way, and after victory at Langport, he met the phenomenon of the Clubmen risings. As communities tried to rediscover the peace that had been lost. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We come to 1645, and the first test of the New Model Army. To Charles and Rupert this was an opportunity to destroy it while full of raw recruits. Through the sack of Leicester they lured the 'brutish' general Fairfax to meet them on the fields of Naseby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Despite the realities of the strategic situation, parliament and people were deeply discouraged by the failures of the Lostwithial and Newbury campaigns. Parliament was fractious, divided and argumentative. But from the disputes, debates and divisions - a solution emerged, and was crafted into a new weapon of the Revoluton. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Excavations in Suffolk near Sutton Hoo have revealed fascinating news about the royal centre at Rendlesham, active from 570 to 730 ish. There's that - and news of a new Anglo Saxon series for you all Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In his efforts to secure Oxford's safety,Charles was faced at Newbury by a far larger army. Find out what happens - and then we go north, where Montrose and Macolla give the Covenanters a nasty shock. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The defeat at Marston Moor in July 1644 raised the very, very strong possibility of the king's defeat. In the Midlands, a small force under the king faced the much larger combined armies of Essex and Waller. Against all expectations, the showdown came in Cornwall.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1644 opened with Charles' 'Mongrel parliament' at Oxford, and was the model of compliance. Not so at York where the noose of the Scots and Fairfax tightened around York. Enter Rupert, stage Lancashire, a whirlwind of violent destruction,. To meet Leven's parliamentarian army at Marston Moor, for the biggest showdon on English soil.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Civil Wars used to be thought of as a rather neighbourly affair, not like those brutal foreign wars. But it's become clear that there was far more death and destruction than just the major battles, and the disruption of the war probably touched every family. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Between a quarter and a third of adult males up to 50 will fight in the first civil war. Most families will be affected in some way. Here is the story of those great marching armies, what kept them together, what made them effective, and how they fought Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gavin Whitehead gives a guest episode from the Art of Crime podcast - where True crime, History and Art meet. Today - Maria Manning and the Bermondey horror. Find more from Gavin at www.artofcrimepodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In August 1643 came one of the defining moments of the course of the Revolution - the swearing of the Solemn League and Covenant between England and Scotland. It would bring an army - and division. But for 6 months Newcaste still have a chance to take Hull and advance on London. Would he seize the opportunity? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In July 1643 the propaganda war was in full swing, and newsheets opened up from both Oxford and London. London was rent by protests, while the royalist cause was finely fettled - in control in the North and ready from the west to launch another assault to London. Only Gloucester stood in the way.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Margaret Cavendish was an extraordinary figure - a refugee from her native Essex, become courtier, Duchess of Newcastle, Natural Philosopher trading blows with the Royal Society, author and public celebrity. Professor Oakes talks to me about her life and why she is so important. You can also follow an extended series of her life by becoming a shedcaster, at Become a Member – The History of England. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

By April it was clear Charles expected to reduce his kingdoms to obedience by war, and would not make peace. By July his cause would be tested at Chalgrove, Adwalton - and Roundway Down. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Early 1643 was not a good idea for peace. By April, both the Scots and English parliament had tired of Charles' negotiating style and started talking to each other instead. But for Charles it was a happy time. His Queen, Generalissima of the North, had landed in Bridlington, and made it to Oxford, bringing arms and news of her capture of Burton on Trent Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Strafford's death did not achieve the objective of clearing the path to agreement between king and subject - instead it hardened hearts, and started the clock of war ticking Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Violence had spread by the end of 1642; despite the King's failure at Turnham Green, multiple armies now swept England, in Ireland the Confederate Association was formed at Kilkenny and the Exiles. And yet still England hoped for peace.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Edgehill, the road to London lay open for the kong. By November 13th, Charles' army faced the Londoners on the common ground west of London at Turnham Green Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charles' situation in August looked dire. But at Shrewsbury, soldiers came to his call, arms reached him from Henrietta Maria, and in October he had an army, and set of to march on London. In his way stood Essex and the army of parliament Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A general sense of disbelief that war was necessary persisted well into 1643. And yet, over time most were forced to make choices. this episdoe about what made them choose, as Charles raises his standard at Nottingham, on 22nd August 1642 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charles' flight from the capital gave the separation into two camps physical form. Now King and Parliament began to lay out their stall, why their cause was just. And parliament acquires their philosopher. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

William Clark of the Grey History podcast on the French Revolution discusses how British reactions changed to the French Revolution, and two great opponents of political philosophy - Edmund Birke and Thomas Paine Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From his return to London in November 1641, Charles and his courtiers built a party in parliament; moderates believed enough was enough, and feared the growing radicalism and social upheaval. Six days would define England's future.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In an atmosphere of panic caused by news of a massive Irish uprising, the struggle for reform met it’s greatest challenge in the attempt to pass the Grand Remonstrance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Many MPs began to think enough had been done. Charles meanwhile had decided he would never compromise with the Junto; now he would defeat them at their own game. The king would build a party of loyalists. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a time of national danger and an explosion of print and debate, the Protestation Oath of 1641 was a remarkable act of nation building. But it's success did nothin to divert Charles' closest advisers, the Queen and Edward Nicholas from the plan to build a royalist party. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Strafford, the idea of a genuine compromise was probably dead. Either king or Parliament would need to find a way to force the other into acceptance of their world view. Both had plans as to how this could be achieved Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.