Alice Hunt, author of 'Republic: Britain’s Revolutionary Decade, 1649-1660', dives into the radical 11 years that followed the beheading of King Charles I. She unveils the rich tapestry of cultural and scientific developments during this time, spotlighting the contributions of figures like Cromwell and Samuel Hartlib. Hunt dispels common myths about Cromwell's legacy and explores how this turbulent period paved the way for modern governance in Britain, highlighting the societal ramifications of the republican experiment.
39:23
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
insights INSIGHT
Pride's Purge and the Republic
Pride's Purge, the removal of MPs opposing Charles I's trial, enabled the Rump Parliament to put him on trial.
This pivotal moment paved the way for the Republic's establishment.
insights INSIGHT
Shift Towards Republicanism
The English Civil Wars initially focused on defining the monarchy, not abolishing it.
Republicanism emerged later when negotiations with Charles I failed.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Impact of Charles I's Execution
The execution of Charles I shocked the nation and Europe, raising questions of legitimacy.
Figures like Fairfax and Whitelocke grappled with the act's implications, while others defended it.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Alice Hunt's 'Republic' is a comprehensive history of the tumultuous decade in England following the English Civil War and the execution of Charles I. The book divides into three parts, focusing on the cultural developments and innovations of the period, including the rise of intellectual life and the formation of the Experimental Philosophy Club, which later became the Royal Society. Hunt provides a balanced view of Oliver Cromwell's role and the eventual restoration of the monarchy, emphasizing that this period was not just an 'interregnum' but a time of significant change and innovation[1][2][3].
For some, it's hard to imagine Britain without a king or queen. Yet, nearly 400 years ago, that prospect became a reality. In January 1649, after a bloody civil war, King Charles I was put on trial, found guilty and beheaded. The 11 years that followed witnessed a bold republican experiment that dominated the lives of those across Britain and Ireland. In this episode, Danny Bird speaks to Alice Hunt about her new book on this revolutionary chapter in history. She discusses a transformative decade which saw some of the 17th century's greatest literary and scientific minds cut their teeth, busts some myths about Cromwell's puritan cronies, and reveals how Britain’s republican decade has left an indelible mark on its modern monarchy and constitution.
(Ad) Alice Hunt is the author of Republic: Britain’s Revolutionary Decade, 1649-1660 (Faber & Faber, 2024). Buy it now from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Republic-Britains-Revolutionary-Decade-1649-1660/dp/0571303196/?tag=bbchistory045-21&ascsubtag=historyextra-social-histboty.
Ronald Hutton answers listener questions on Cromwell’s Protectorate: https://link.chtbl.com/9rP72VAb.
The HistoryExtra podcast is produced by the team behind BBC History Magazine.
History Extra podcast 