1644 opened with Charles' 'Mongrel parliament' at Oxford, and was the model of compliance. Not so at York where the noose of the Scots and Fairfax tightened around York. Enter Rupert, stage Lancashire, a whirlwind of violent destruction,. To meet Leven's parliamentarian army at Marston Moor, for the biggest showdon on English soil.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Civil Wars used to be thought of as a rather neighbourly affair, not like those brutal foreign wars. But it's become clear that there was far more death and destruction than just the major battles, and the disruption of the war probably touched every family. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Between a quarter and a third of adult males up to 50 will fight in the first civil war. Most families will be affected in some way. Here is the story of those great marching armies, what kept them together, what made them effective, and how they fought Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Announcing the History of England Tour 2024! We will be heading to East Anglia - Ely, Holkam, Norwich, Blickling, Sutton Hoo, Framlingham. Lavenham and more. To find out more, hie thee to https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk/tour24 or https://www.albionjourneys.com/item/161/Historical/History-of-England-Podcast-Tour-2024.html Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Announcing the History of England Tour 2024! We will be heading to East Anglia - Ely, Holkam, Norwich, Blickling, Sutton Hoo, Framlingham. Lavenham and more. To find out more, hie thee to https://thehistoryofengland.co.uk/tour24 or https://www.albionjourneys.com/item/161/Historical/History-of-England-Podcast-Tour-2024.html Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gavin Whitehead gives a guest episode from the Art of Crime podcast - where True crime, History and Art meet. Today - Maria Manning and the Bermondey horror. Find more from Gavin at www.artofcrimepodcast.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In August 1643 came one of the defining moments of the course of the Revolution - the swearing of the Solemn League and Covenant between England and Scotland. It would bring an army - and division. But for 6 months Newcaste still have a chance to take Hull and advance on London. Would he seize the opportunity? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In July 1643 the propaganda war was in full swing, and newsheets opened up from both Oxford and London. London was rent by protests, while the royalist cause was finely fettled - in control in the North and ready from the west to launch another assault to London. Only Gloucester stood in the way.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Margaret Cavendish was an extraordinary figure - a refugee from her native Essex, become courtier, Duchess of Newcastle, Natural Philosopher trading blows with the Royal Society, author and public celebrity. Professor Oakes talks to me about her life and why she is so important. You can also follow an extended series of her life by becoming a shedcaster, at Become a Member – The History of England. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

By April it was clear Charles expected to reduce his kingdoms to obedience by war, and would not make peace. By July his cause would be tested at Chalgrove, Adwalton - and Roundway Down. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Early 1643 was not a good idea for peace. By April, both the Scots and English parliament had tired of Charles' negotiating style and started talking to each other instead. But for Charles it was a happy time. His Queen, Generalissima of the North, had landed in Bridlington, and made it to Oxford, bringing arms and news of her capture of Burton on Trent Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Strafford's death did not achieve the objective of clearing the path to agreement between king and subject - instead it hardened hearts, and started the clock of war ticking Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Violence had spread by the end of 1642; despite the King's failure at Turnham Green, multiple armies now swept England, in Ireland the Confederate Association was formed at Kilkenny and the Exiles. And yet still England hoped for peace.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.