The English Civil War: An Atlas and Concise History of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms 1639-51

by Nick Lipscombe

Overview

A lavishly presented atlas of the English Civil Wars, the conflicts that ravaged the countryside of England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland from 1639 to 1651.

The English Civil Wars (1638–51) comprised the deadliest conflict in history fought on British soil, in which brother took up arms against brother, father fought against son, and towns, cities, and villages fortified themselves in the cause of Royalists or Parliamentarians. Although much historical attention has focused on the events in England and the key battles of Edgehill, Marston Moor, and Naseby, this was a conflict that engulfed the entirety of the Three Kingdoms and led to a trial and execution that profoundly shaped the British monarchy and Parliament.

This beautifully presented atlas tells the whole story of Britain's revolutionary civil war, from the earliest skirmishes of the Bishops Wars in 1639–40 through to 1651, when Charles II's defeat at Worcester crushed the Royalist cause, leading to two decades of Stuart exile. Each map is supported by a detailed text, providing a complete explanation of the complex and fluctuating conflict that ultimately meant that the Crown would always be answerable to Parliament.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781472829726
Publisher:	Bloomsbury USA
Publication date:	09/22/2020
Pages:	368
Product dimensions:	9.60(w) x 11.90(h) x 1.60(d)

About the Author

Colonel Nicolas (Nick) Lipscombe MSc FRHistS served for 34 years in the British Army. He is an accomplished historian, author and lecturer. He was made a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society in 2016. His works include the award-winning Peninsular War Atlas and Concise History, Wellington's Guns, Wellington Invades France, the official Waterloo 200 Bicentenary compendium, Wellington's Eastern Front and most recently, The English Civil War: An Atlas and Concise History of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms 1639–51. He is a tutor at the University of Oxford, Department of Continuing Education and an active member of numerous historical societies. He lives in Oxford.

Table of Contents

Foreword

Preface

Chronology – The Wars of The Three Kingdoms, 1639–52

Legend to Maps

Introduction – Origins of Conflict

Civil War Armies, Fighting Components and their Tactics

1 – The Early Stuarts and the Divine Right of Kings, 1603–37

2 – The Bishops' Wars, 1639–40

3 – Rebellion in Ireland, 1640–42

4 – The Road to Civil War, 1641–42

5 – The Campaign and Battle of Edgehill, June to October 1642

6 – Advance to London, October to November 1642

7 – Nationwide Struggle, December 1642 to March 1643

8 – The Nation Divides, Mid-March to end of May 1643

9 – Events in The South-West, March to June 1643

10 – The Struggle for the North and Centre, June to August 1643

11 – The Struggle for Bristol and the South-West, June to August 1643

12 – Operations in the North, September to December 1643

13 – Events in Devon, September to the end of 1643

14 – The First Battle of Newbury, September 1643

15 – Irish Cessation and the Scottish Covenant, 1643

16 – The Scottish Invasion, Early 1644

17 – Nantwich And Newark: The Battles for Central England, January to March 1644

18 – Wales: The Conquest of Pembrokeshire, January to March 1644

19 – Waller's Operations in the South, January to April 1644

20 – The Great Siege and Battle in Yorkshire, April to August 1644

21 – The Oxford Campaign, May to August 1644

22 – Events in the South-West, April to August 1644

23 – War in the Centre: the Second Battle of Newbury, August to November 1644

24 – Wales, Scotland and the North of England, August to the end of 1644

25 – A Time to Reflect: the end of 1644

26 – Nationwide Developments, Early 1645

27 – The Great and Decisive Battle at Naseby, 14 June 1645

28 – Taunton and Langport: Events in The South-West, January to July 1645

29 – Scotland in 1645: Montrose's Royalist Campaign

30 – Post-Naseby, Part 1: Wales and the South, to the end of 1645

31 – Post-Naseby, Part 2: the North, to the end of 1645

32 – Sweeping up the South-West, January to April 1646

33 – The end of the First Civil War, 1646

34 – Wales, Scotland and Ireland in 1646

35 – Ireland 1647: Beyond Redemption

36 – The King's Intransigence, 1647

37 – War Reignites in Wales, 1648

38 – War Reignites in England, 1648

39 – The Battle of Preston: the Death Blow to Royalism, 1648

40 – The 'Endgame': Regicide, 1649

41 – Cromwell and Parliament's Army in Ireland, 1649–52

42 – The Invasion of Scotland, July 1650 to September 1651

43 – Worcester, 1651: The Final Battle

44 – The Interregnum, 1649–60

Notes to Maps

Appendices

Glossary

Bibliography

Editorial Reviews

This superb work provides a visually stunning guide to Britain's civil wars from the opening Bishops' War to the rule of Cromwell's major generals. Based on the latest historical and archaeological research, the 156 detailed maps show not only the better known large battles and sieges, but also numerous smaller engagements and key political events. Essential for comprehending the full extent of the war and for understanding it conduct and outcome.” —Professor Peter Wilson, Chichele Professor of the History of War, University of Oxford

“There has long been a need for a good atlas of the English Civil War, and Nick Lipscombe, who has already fully met the need for one for the Peninsular War, now does so again. Effective and clear maps are ably combined with a text that reflects Lipscombe's understanding of weapons characteristics, the complexity of battle, and the nuances of command. An important work that deserves wide attention.” —Professor Jeremy Black, author of World War Two in 100 Maps

“Nick Lipscombe's The English Civil War is a joy to behold a thing of beauty, but much more than that book is clearly of no small importance. I am convinced that this will be the first port of call for all enthusiasts and scholars looking for a cartographic interpretation of the civil wars. This will be the civil war atlas against which all others will judged and the battle maps in particular will quickly become the benchmark for all future civil war maps.” —Professor Martyn Bennett, Department of History, Languages and Global Studies, Nottingham Trent University

“Without doubt one of the most foremost reference sources on the Civil Wars available today.” —Tim Williamson, History of War

“An absolutely essential volume for anyone interested in the period.” —Duncan Evans, The Armourer

“The Atlas is an excellent work, which is a must for anyone who has any interest in the War of the Tree Kingdoms.” —Chris May, Battlefield

“...An expert commentary and analysis, by a good historian linked into the Battlefields Trust. Highly recommended.” —Miniature Wargames

“This is a wonderful volume, hugely impressive in its breadth and depth, very attractive in its cartography and presentation, which makes a weighty contribution to the history of the civil war in every sense.” —Professor Peter Gaunt, University of Chester for The Protector's Pen

From the Publisher