The Causes of the English Civil War

British History in Perspective

by Ann L. Hughes

The causes of the English civil war have provoked fierce controversy amongst historians ever since the seventeenth century. The period is still one which matters to people, one over which they take sides. Such an enormous amount of work is published on the civil war that it is impossible for non-specialists to keep up with debates, hence the value of this synthesis. This book is intended as a guide and introduction to this massive outpouring of scholarship, including discussion of revisionist and post-revisionist work. It is a vigorous overview which seeks to focus sharply on original recent approaches. It examines English developments in a broader British and European context, and explores current debates on the nature of the political process and the divisions over religion and politics. Finally, it analyses controversial attempts to set the civil war in a social context, and to connect social change to broad cultural cleavages in England.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, British Literature, Politics

224 pages, Paperback

First published March 5, 1991

Reviews

[Nick]

This is the back-to-basics approach on the civil war we all need: an organized, clear account on the 'English Revolution'' historiography circa 1991. Dense as an old stone but this the best account I have read of the debates surrounding the war so far. Perhaps a more detailed breakdown will follow. Not for the faint of heart, and some previous knowledge is required.

[Suzanne McDonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although it’s over 30 years old now, this is still a judicious, shrewd, helpful analysis. This is not a book for those who are simply after a basic overview of the major issues / events, though - you'll need significant knowledge of the period and the historiography to get the most out of this excellent little book.

[Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

A pretty good overview of English Civil War historiography, but hardly bedtime reading..!

[Phil Duckworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detailed debates on a variety of causes for the English Civil War.