The English Republic 1649-1660

Seminar Studies in History

by Toby Barnard

The book begins by introducing the complicated events leading to the execution of Charles I in 1649 and then offers a detailed analysis of the political experimentation which followed. Toby Barnard argues that although the survival of the revolutionary order was bound up with Cromwell, and collapsed after his death, the regime defeated both its domestic and foreign enemies and was more stable than has often been thought. The book also investigates changes on the structures of power, on the ruling elites and in the localities.

Genres: History

119 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1982

About the author

Dr. Toby Christopher Barnard is an Emeritus Fellow and Tutor in History, Hertford College, University of Oxford.

He has been:
Lecturer in History, Royal Holloway University of London, 1970 - 1976
Fellow and Tutor in History and CUF Lecturer, Hertford College, University of Oxford, Hertford College University of Oxford, 1976 - 2014,
University of Exeter, 1969 - 1970
Emeritus Fellow and Tutor in History, Hertford College University of Oxford, 2015
Fellow and Tutor in History and CUF Lecturer, Hertford College, University of Oxford, Hertford College University of Oxford, 1976

Barnard specialized in the political, social and cultural histories of Ireland and England, c. 1600-1800.

He was elected a UK Fellow, Early Modern History to 1850, of the British Academy.

Source: The British Academy

Reviews

[5greenway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oliver Cromwell lay buried and dead
(hee-haw, buried and dead)
There grew a great apple tree over his head
(hee-haw, over his head)
The apples were ripe and were ready to fall
(hee-haw, ready to fall)
There came an old woman to gather them all
(hee-haw, gather them all)
Oliver rose and he give her a drop
(hee-haw, give her a drop)
Which made the old woman go hippety-hop
(hee-haw, hippety-hop)
The saddle and bridle they lie on the shelf
(hee-haw, lie on the shelf)
If you want any more you can sing it yourself
(hee-haw, sing it yourself)

Quite impressed I can still remember all of that one. Anyway, this was worth taking time over, a balanced and clear setting out of a period I know very little about. Also, much amusing use of the word "Rumpers"

[Bill38silver · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another example of the excellent Seminar Studies In History series. This edition deals with the turbulent, chaotic decade between the execution of Charles 1 and the return to monarchy by his son, Charles II. In between 1649 and 1660, there were various attempts to run (not ruin) the country by Parliament and the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell. The author, Toby Bernard, has crystallised in a slim volume a very readable appraisal of the overwhelming difficulties in religion, finance, foreign affairs, the military menace of the standing army, problems in Ireland and Scotland and perpetual fear of royalist revenge and of popery. And reconcile the huge swathe of interested parties moving often in opposition to one another.

This book is a useful introduction to the whirlwind of events in the wake of the Civil war. Other works cover the ground in greater depth for those interested in finding out more about the various sects and key players of those times. The book has a useful glossary and bibliography of main sources of further information (as at about 1990). More recent publications on mid seventeenth century history need also to be consulted.