English Civil War Books

About English Civil War

The English Civil War (1642–1651) was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Royalists (Cavaliers), who supported King Charles I, and Parliamentarians (Roundheads), who sought to limit royal authority. The war was fueled by disputes over religion, governance, and the rights of Parliament versus the monarchy. England was divided between those who believed in the divine right of kings and those pushing for a constitutional government. The war unfolded in three main phases, each marked by fierce battles such as Edgehill, Marston Moor, and Naseby. The Parliamentarians, led by figures like Oliver Cromwell and his New Model Army, eventually triumphed. In a groundbreaking moment, Charles I was tried for treason and executed in 1649, leading to the establishment of the Commonwealth under Cromwell’s rule. This period saw England become a republic and the monarchy abolished—an unprecedented shift in European governance. Though the monarchy was restored in 1660 with Charles II, the war had a lasting impact on British political culture. It laid the groundwork for constitutional monarchy, reinforced parliamentary sovereignty, and influenced later democratic developments. The English Civil War also sparked debates about individual rights, religious freedom, and the limits of state power that resonate to this day.