Royalist Agents, Conspirators and Spies: Their Role in the British Civil Wars, 1640-1660

by Geoffrey Smith

Overview

In this book, the role of royalist agents, spies and conspirators is uncovered and examined. Shifting the traditional focus of attention from royal ministers, councillors, and generals, to a cadre of loyal, resourceful and courageous agents several rungs lower down in the hierarchy of the king's supporters the book presents a unique picture of the royalist cause. In a lively yet scholarly style it reveals a world of feuds, jealousies, rivalries and shifting allegiances that divided and disorganised the leadership of the king's party.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781409482000
Publisher:	Ashgate Publishing Ltd
Publication date:	07/28/2013
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Geoffrey Smith was Head of History at Melbourne Grammar School for a number of years. He is now an Honorary Research Fellow in the School of History at the University of Melbourne. He is the author of The Cavaliers in Exile, 1640-1660 (2003) and of several articles on the royalists. He is currently working on a contribution to a planned collection of essays on the courtier, playwright and theatre manager, Thomas Killigrew.

Table of Contents

Introduction; 1: Ill Carried Designs: The Army Plots 1640–1642; 2: Manifold Plots, Conspiracies, Contrivances 1642–1643; 3: War in the Three Kingdoms 1643–1646; 4: Blasted Hopes 1646–1649; 5: The Cavalier Winter 1649–1650; 6: A Fading Crown 1650–1653; 7: A Tangle of Knots 1653–1655; 8: New Disturbances 1656–1658; 9: The Coming of the Day 1658–1660; 10: Restless and Invincible Spirits

Editorial Reviews

'This book is full of fine story-telling which transforms our knowledge of some familiar acts of heroism and skullduggery at the heart of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms and which tells us a whole lot of new and startling stories. Altogether it will change how we should look at royalism and loyalism in this great crisis of British monarchy.' John Morrill, University of Cambridge, UK 'This work offers a thrilling narrative of the shady business of royalist spies and agents over the whole Civil War and Interregnum period. The bravery, optimism and pragmatism of these indefatigible failures is ably highlighted, along with their importance in sustaining the concept of royalism through its darkest times.' Andrew Hopper, University of Leicester, UK 'Geoffrey Smith has established himself, over the past quarter of a century, as the leading expert on the exiled royalists of the British Civil War period... [his latest work] is a book that both fills out our knowledge of the age and events concerned and augments the history of espionage and secret diplomacy.' Ronald Hutton, Intelligence and National Security 'Recommended.' Choice 'Overall, Smith's study has much to offer scholars working on royalism, the British Civil Wars, and seventeenth-century intelligence gathering and plotting. The book also presents a lively and enjoyable read for the nonspecialist.' Parergon 'Smith's book is both enjoyable and enlightening, and it may lead historians to reflect further on the nature of human agency in shaping events.' Journal of British Studies ’This is a fascinating and absorbing account... It highlights the increasing importance of underground Royalist activity as the Stuart monarchs failed to regain their kingdoms. It also gives an insight into how the Royalist effort was organised and managed, especially the Royalists’ ability to communicate across counties, countries and even continents. It demonstrates the diverse backgrounds of Royalist agents and shows their cause was

From the Publisher