The English Civil War 1642-1651
An Illustrated Military History
Philip Haythornwaite
Copyright 1983 Blandford Press Ltd.
The Cover
The editor resume :
Among many popular misconceptions concerning the English Civil War is the belief that it was contested by
long-haired, foppish 'Cavaliers' on the one hand, and crop-headed, sombre-suited Puritan 'Roundheads' on the other, and that it was a simple contest between King and Parliament. Even the title 'English Civil War' is a misnomer, for the conflict which ravaged Britain in the mid-seventeenth century involved three distinct wars during the 1642-51 period, and involved Scotland, Wales and Ireland to a large degree. The English Civil Wars in fact represent the most vital watershed in British history, effectively extinguishing the vestiges of feudalism and originating the concepts of constitutional monarchy and standing army.
This history concentrates upon the military aspects though, because the political and religious considerations of the period interfered with and influenced the military operations, all other aspects of the conflict are explained concisely. In addition to a detailed and chronological account of the campaigning, and insights into the characters of the military and political leaders, the book includes an important section on a subject frequently neglected: on how an army was formed, how its members were recruited (or impressed), how regiments were raised, trained and equipped, how an army was provisioned, marshalled in the field, how its infantry and cavalry were employed, how its artillery was managed, and ultimately how it fought, advanced or retreated. In all these matters, as in the chronological account of the war which follows, most extensive use has been made of contemporary drill-books, manuals, accounts by military theorists and practical soldiers, eye-witness accounts and memoirs.
In addition to a hundred black-and-white illustrations of contemporary prints, portraits, documents and surviving relics, thirty-two magnificent colour plates by Jeffrey Burn illustrate exactly how the Civil War soldier was attired and equipped, from the armoured 'cuirassier' to the humble pikeman, from the invincible 'Ironsides' to the barefoot levies.
Philip Haythornthwaite, a Lancashire bookseller, is no newcomer to the Blandford list. This is his ninth military title andhe is the author also of numerous articles inthe militaria press.
Comment
A must have , 100 B&W pictures, 30 color plates giving 80 uniforms, special section about flags
Basic resume of the why and what
Easy to read
An Illustrated Military History
Philip Haythornwaite
Copyright 1983 Blandford Press Ltd.
The Cover
The editor resume :
Among many popular misconceptions concerning the English Civil War is the belief that it was contested by
long-haired, foppish 'Cavaliers' on the one hand, and crop-headed, sombre-suited Puritan 'Roundheads' on the other, and that it was a simple contest between King and Parliament. Even the title 'English Civil War' is a misnomer, for the conflict which ravaged Britain in the mid-seventeenth century involved three distinct wars during the 1642-51 period, and involved Scotland, Wales and Ireland to a large degree. The English Civil Wars in fact represent the most vital watershed in British history, effectively extinguishing the vestiges of feudalism and originating the concepts of constitutional monarchy and standing army.
This history concentrates upon the military aspects though, because the political and religious considerations of the period interfered with and influenced the military operations, all other aspects of the conflict are explained concisely. In addition to a detailed and chronological account of the campaigning, and insights into the characters of the military and political leaders, the book includes an important section on a subject frequently neglected: on how an army was formed, how its members were recruited (or impressed), how regiments were raised, trained and equipped, how an army was provisioned, marshalled in the field, how its infantry and cavalry were employed, how its artillery was managed, and ultimately how it fought, advanced or retreated. In all these matters, as in the chronological account of the war which follows, most extensive use has been made of contemporary drill-books, manuals, accounts by military theorists and practical soldiers, eye-witness accounts and memoirs.
In addition to a hundred black-and-white illustrations of contemporary prints, portraits, documents and surviving relics, thirty-two magnificent colour plates by Jeffrey Burn illustrate exactly how the Civil War soldier was attired and equipped, from the armoured 'cuirassier' to the humble pikeman, from the invincible 'Ironsides' to the barefoot levies.
Philip Haythornthwaite, a Lancashire bookseller, is no newcomer to the Blandford list. This is his ninth military title andhe is the author also of numerous articles inthe militaria press.
Comment
A must have , 100 B&W pictures, 30 color plates giving 80 uniforms, special section about flags
Basic resume of the why and what
Easy to read
