The History of England

Joining in are Sam, an expert on religion and culture, and David, who fields intriguing questions on English societal themes. They dive into the tensions of the English Civil War, dissecting the effects of key figures like Charles I and Oliver Cromwell. The complex interplay of religion and politics gets a spotlight, alongside engaging discussions about historical 'What Ifs' that spark reimaginations of the Three Kingdoms. Their witty banter adds flair as they tackle crucial themes and detail the historical quirks that shape England's past.

We had a vast number of brilliant quesrtions. Sam (Pax Britannica) and David (of this parish) had a lovely time - but went on a bit, there's no denying it. So this is part I, about 25 questions, mostly about politics and the civil wars themselves Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In April 1649 the new Commonwealth was under siege, enemies with and without. The Levelers saw the new Commonwealth as a betrayal of the revolution, and set out to raise rebellion against the Rump and the Grandees, to set soldiers against their officers and people against their parliament. Meanwhile, Gerald Winstanley started writing furious pamphelts, demanding social reform - and a True Leveling. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On 30th January, Charles I went to the scaffold, the first king to be publicly tried and executed by his people. He died with enormous dignity - and was duly proclaimed a martyr. With the king gone, a new state was proclaimed in his place - based on the sovereignty of the people, and ruled by a House of Commons that representated it, with the executive Council of State. As the Commonwealth's servants, John Milton and Marchamont Nedham worked to proclaim it's legitimacy, enemies both internal and external circled. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I am about to start a new series for Shedcast members, called Birth of Britain. It takes British history from the year dot to somewhere around 600. So I am starting the series off with an interview with friend and archaeologist Dr Richard Grove, to give us a bit of an overview. This episode is an extract from that interview. I thought that (a) you would find it interesting and that (b) it might persuade you might sign up to be a member at The History of England Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Once the decision was taken to put Charles on trial, the Commissiobners agonised about the detail at Westminster; the trial must be seen to be fair. But few can have doubted its outcome. The theatre of the trial was almost a gladatorial contest between representatives of the two sides, in the form of President Bradshaw, and King Charles Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The New Model, Levellers and Radical MPs reacted with steely determination to the adoption of the Newport treaty. It was probably Ireton that inspired Pride's Purge. Ireton it was also that drove the development of the constitutional proposal that followed, forged in the Whitehall Debates - the Agreement of the People. That would have to wait though, because more immediate questions were at hand. What now to do with this incorrigible king? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In July. Hamilton launched his army of Scots across the border, in confident expectation that his 14,000 would be swelled by enthusiastic English royalists. England would know it's fate at Preston, when the opposimg commanders, Hamilton and Cromwell, threw the dice. While parliament would receive two proposals for a lasting peace; the Remonstranbce of the Army, penned by Ireton, Radical MPs and Levellers; and the Newport Treaty from their commissioners and the king. Which way would the bones fall? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explore the distress of the people in England in 1648 - from taxes to religion to county committees. Learn about the rise of the Levelers and Parliament's sequestration of Royalist estates. Dive into political turmoil, covert operations, and military ventures as the country grapples with unrest and alliances.

In November 1647 at Corkbush field near Ware, Fairfax faced a dangerous threat to army unity - the work of the Leveller Agitators had incited some regiments to mutiny, in support of the Agreeent of the People. Meanwhile Charles had fled Hampton Court; he would find his new home even less to his liking. Until he had a strictly private discussion with the Scots... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.