More Like Lions Than Men

Andrew Abram's "More like lions than men: Sir William Brereton and the Cheshire army of Parliament, 1642-46" offers a detailed examination of one of the English Civil War's less celebrated but strategically significant theaters. The book focuses on Sir William Brereton, a figure who commanded Parliamentary forces in Cheshire during the opening years of the conflict, and the regional army he built and led through some of the war's most challenging campaigns.

Brereton emerges from Abram's account as a complex military and political leader whose contributions to the Parliamentary cause have often been overshadowed by more famous commanders like Cromwell and Fairfax. The book traces his transformation from a member of the Cheshire gentry into a formidable military commander who understood both the tactical requirements of seventeenth-century warfare and the political necessities of maintaining support for Parliament in a contested region. Cheshire's strategic importance lay in its position between Royalist strongholds in Wales and the north, making control of the county essential for both sides.

The title itself, drawn from contemporary accounts of the ferocity displayed by Brereton's troops in battle, captures something of the martial character that defined this regional force. Abram explores how Brereton cultivated and commanded an army that, while smaller and less well-equipped than the major field armies of the period, proved remarkably effective in achieving its objectives. The Cheshire Parliamentarians faced constant challenges, including limited resources, the need to defend a wide geographic area, and opposition from a significant Royalist presence within the county itself.

One of the book's strengths lies in its treatment of the regional dimensions of the Civil War. Rather than viewing events in Cheshire merely as a sideshow to the main campaigns in the south and midlands, Abram demonstrates how the struggle for control of this northwestern county had implications for the broader war effort. The success or failure of operations in Cheshire affected the security of Parliamentary strongholds in Lancashire and threatened or protected Royalist communications with Ireland. Brereton's campaigns against fortified towns and his efforts to reduce Royalist garrisons are presented as integral components of Parliament's overall strategy.

Abram draws on a range of primary sources to reconstruct the campaigns and battles that marked these crucial years. Contemporary correspondence, military records, and local accounts provide the foundation for his narrative. The book examines specific military operations, including sieges and field engagements, offering insights into the tactics employed and the challenges faced by commanders operating with limited manpower and supplies. The nature of warfare in this period, characterized by sieges of fortified positions and the difficulty of maintaining armies in the field, receives careful attention.

The book also addresses the composition and character of Brereton's forces. The Cheshire army combined elements typical of Civil War military organization: trained bands drawn from local militias, volunteer regiments, and eventually more professional soldiers as the war progressed. Abram explores questions of recruitment, training, supply, and morale, showing how Brereton managed to maintain an effective fighting force despite the numerous obstacles inherent in regional command during this period.

Beyond purely military matters, the work examines Brereton's role as a political figure. His position required constant negotiation with local authorities, management of relationships with other Parliamentary commanders, and navigation of the complex political landscape that characterized Parliament's coalition during these years. The tensions between regional and national priorities, between military necessity and political considerations, form an important thread throughout the narrative.

For readers interested in the English Civil War, particularly those seeking to understand the conflict beyond its most famous battles and personalities, this book provides valuable insights. The regional focus allows for a detailed examination of how the war was actually experienced and fought in a specific locality, rather than the broader strategic overviews that characterize many general histories of the period. The book contributes to a fuller understanding of how Parliament eventually prevailed by documenting the determined efforts of regional commanders like Brereton who secured and held crucial territories.

Abram's work stands as a significant contribution to Civil War scholarship, recovering from relative obscurity an important commander and his forces. The book will appeal to military historians interested in seventeenth-century warfare, students of the English Civil War seeking a deeper understanding of the conflict's regional dimensions, and readers fascinated by the period's complex interplay of military and political developments.