The World Turned Upside Down - The British Civil Wars 1638-1651

In this occasional series, distinguished academic historians of the 17th century are invited to discuss some of the controversial questions which regularly arise in lectures, publications and exams. Oliver Cromwell’s actions, decisions and response to the world in which he had to operate had consequences which shaped the history of Britain and the world beyond. ... Read more

In this occasional series, distinguished academic historians of the 17th century are invited to discuss some of the controversial questions which regularly arise in lectures, publications and exams. Oliver Cromwell’s actions, decisions and response to the world in which he had to operate had consequences which shaped the history of Britain and the world beyond. ... Read more

There is no more iconic or controversial figure in Britain during the first half of the 17th Century than Oliver Cromwell. So, with the help of distinguished academic historians, we are seeking answers to some critically important questions surrounding Oliver Cromwell – the man, his motivations and the consequences of his actions and decisions. To begin ... Read more

By New Year’s Day 1660, the Republican experiment in Britain was almost at an end and the country appeared to be drifting towards anarchy. But on that day, General George Monck led a Parliamentary army across the border from Scotland into England at the village of Coldstream en route to London where he arrived on ... Read more

1642 was a tempestuous year beginning on 4th January with the unsuccessful attempt by the King to arrest Five Members of Parliament (John Pym, John Hampden, Denzil Holles, Arthur Haselrig and William Strode), in the Commons Chamber, followed by the exclusion of the Bishops from the House of Lords and on 25th February, with the departure ... Read more

Many controversies swirl around the legacy of Oliver Cromwell and over the centuries it has become increasingly difficult to separate fact from fiction. Consequently at this time of the year, one of the most popular searches on Google is “Did Oliver Cromwell really ban Christmas?”. To help us get to an authoritative response, publisher, Mike ... Read more

“No man is born a slave…we are all by birth equally free.” Edward Sexby, a comrade-in-arms of Oliver Cromwell who became his implacable enemy, was the among the spokesmen for the radical Leveller faction who vehemently denounced the monarchy and accused Oliver Cromwell and Henry Ireton of betraying the ideals of the New Model Army ... Read more

Oliver Cromwell, who chaired most of the Putney Debates,  took a different approach to that of his son in law, Henry Ireton, who confronted the radicals head-on and tried to undermines their arguments.  In contrast, Cromwell was more placatory and sought to preserve the unity of the army rather than simply win the argument.  However, ... Read more

Henry Ireton was the eloquent spokesperson for the Grandees of the New Model Army who sided with his father-in-law Oliver Cromwell.  At Putney they were pitted against the Republicans and the Levellers, who believed that the King had blood on his hands having fought against and killed his own people. But the radicals feared that ... Read more

“the poorest hee … in England hath a life to live, as the greatest hee.” Thomas Rainborowe was the romantic rallying point of the radicals during the debates.  The de facto leader of the radical group of New Model Army officers. he argued vehemently in favour of The Agreement of the Peopledrawn up by the ... Read more