Civil War, Interregnum and Restoration in Gloucestershire, 1640-1672 (Royal Historical Society Studies in History New Series) [Hardcover]

A.R. Warmington (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0861932366 | ISBN-13: 978-0861932368 | Publication Date: September 25, 1997

Recent studies of particular areas during the Civil War have shown how kinship and social and educational ties, far from reinforcing county isolationism, frequently drew inhabitants into a far wider network and divided existing loyalties. Following this approach, Dr Warmington's examination of the history of Gloucestershire during the period begins with the descent into war between 1640 and 1642, showing how the two sides formed and why the Parliamentarians had the more durable war machine. He goes on to consider the anarchic situation between 1645 and 1649 and the series of new experiments in government which followed until 1660, undertaken by an almost entirely new governing group of minor gentlemen, elevated through military service to the regime and by religious affiliations. The attempted rebellion of 1659 is examined in detail, and the book concludes with a look at the Restoration of the Stuart dynasty, the Anglican Church, and the sons of the pre-war county ruling elite, exploring how the new regime compared with its Cromwellian predecessors.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

ANDREW WARMINGTON was formerly senior research assistant in history at the University of Durham, following a First Class degree from York and a D.Phil. from St Peter's College, Oxford. He is now a freelance research analyst.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Royal Historical Society (September 25, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0861932366
• ISBN-13: 978-0861932368
• Product Dimensions: 9.7 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,331,922 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gloucestershire and the English Civil War, June 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Civil War, Interregnum and Restoration in Gloucestershire, 1640-1672 (Royal Historical Society Studies in History New Series) (Hardcover)

This is a highly specialised work of academic history, so it isn't for everyone but the style is much fresher than the usual and the author, Andrew Warmington's obvious affection for the area means that it should appeal to anyone interested in the history, topography and popular culture of Gloucestershire.

Refreshingly, too, to my mind,he doesn't bother to hide his bias; he makes it perfectly clear that the Parliamentarian side was that of the vast majority of the people and that the Royalists - especially Charles I himself - were worthless people.

As well as covering some familiar ground in terms of seeing the tumultuous years of the Civil War and Commonwealth period through the eyes of a local community, the author extends his coverage to the Restoration period.

Warmington also has a great eye for the human dimension, and there are plenty of characters and local flavour in the book, from the insults tht gentry hurled at each other when a pre-election compact broke down in 1640 to the football match that was to be the cue for an anti-Rump riot in Bristol in 1660.

The amateur psychologist will probably enjoy his account of how the Civil War government of Gloucester struggled to cope with the political fighting caused by the demented paranoia of Colonel Massey, the city's governor.

This is also a solid work of historical research in a county with relatively poor documentation; the author has clearly gutted the state papers, family records and printed newssheets of the day for local references and has managed to pull together a strong narrative of events throughout the 32 years of coverage.