Collection: English Civil War

383 years ago, on 22nd August 1642, King Charles I started the English Civil War by raising his standard at Nottingham. This act was the prelude to four years of fighting that culminated in the arrest and execution of Charles in 1649 and the division of the country – and of communities and families – into bitter factions. The dissolution of the monarchy would prove to be temporary as Oliver Cromwell's democratic movement soon devolved into authoritarianism. It is an experiment the English have never repeated.

To commemorate this febrile and significant passage of English history, we are pleased to present a catalogue of books both from and arising out of the conflict.