The Army in Cromwellian England, 1649-1660From 1649-1660 England was ruled by a standing army for the only time in its history. In The Army in Cromwellian England Henry Reece describes, for the first time, the nature of that experience, both for members of the army and for civilian society. The book is split into three parts. The first section looks at the size of the army, its material needs, Put forward for the Whitfield book prize (Royal Historical Society) 2013 structure, and political engagement to provide a sense of the day-to-day reality of being part of a standing army. The second part considers the impact of the military presence on society by establishing where soldiers were quartered, how they were paid, the material burden that they represented, the divisive effects of the army's patronage of religious radicals, and the extensive involvement of army officers in the government of the localities. The final section re-evaluates the army's role in the political events from Cromwell's death to the restoration of the Stuart monarchy, and explains why the army crumbled so pitifully in the last months of the Commonwealth. |
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active appointment army officers army’s assessment attempt authorities Baynes Bristol Cambridge Captain cause Charles Civil civilian Clarke Papers Colonel command commission Committee common continued corporation Council County Cromwell Cromwell’s crown Crown Lands CSPD December demands discussion early England English establishment Fairfax February forces garrison Gentles George governor Henry History House Hull Interregnum involved Ireland January John lack Lambert late later Letters localities London Lord major major-generals March Military Presence Monck months moved November October Overton Oxford parliament Parliamentary Perfect period petition political promotion Protectorate Purge Quakers quarter radical Record regiment remained Report Restoration Richard Robert Rump Scotland senior officers September served soldiers standing thesis Thomas took town troops University vols Woolrych