The English Civil Wars 1642 1651

On 23 September 1642 Prince Rupert's cavalry triumphed outside Worcester in the first major clash on the English Civil War. Almost precisely nine years later, on 3 September 1651, that war was won by Oliver Cromwell's famous Ironsides outside the same city and in part upon the same ground. Stuart Reid provides a detailed yet readable new military history – the first to be published for over twenty years – of the three conflicts between 1642 and 1651 known as the English Civil War. Prince Rupert, Oliver Cromwell Patrick Ruthven, Alexander Leslie and Sir Thomas Fairfax all play their parts in this fast-moving narrative. At the heart of the book are fresh interpretations, not only of the key battles such as Marston Moor in 1644, but also of the technical and economic factors which helped shape strategy and tactics, making this a truly comprehensive study of one of the most famous conflicts in British history. This book is a must for all historians and enthusiasts of seventeenth-century English history.

This is the definitive military history of the Civil Wars which swept the British Isles from 1642 to 1649. The martial aspects of the wars are covered in detail along with a comprehensive overview of thereligious and political dimensions which shaped the armies involved in the conflict. This excellent single volume history is the perfectintroduction to themilitary history of this turbulent decade which shaped the destiny of the British Isles. This book is part of the 'Military History From Primary Sources' series, a new military history range compiled and edited by Emmy Award winning author and historian Bob Carruthers. The series draws on primary sources and contemporary documents to provide a new insight into the true nature of warfare. The series consultant is David Mcwhinnie, creator of the award winning PBS series 'Battlefield'.

All but one of the essays were originally delivered as lectures at Eton College. Includes bibliographies.

First Published in 2004. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.