1648 and All That

The resumption of conflict between 1648 and 1651 is frequently referred to as the Second and Third Civil Wars. The period marked not only a return to war, but to a bloodier, more violent conflict that had perhaps been seen before in the British Isles. Massacre, summary executions, wonton destruction and assault on the civilian population were commonplace.  In early 1648 a political faction called the ‘Engagers’ gained control of the Scottish Government and sent an army into England to support numerous pro-Royalist risings across the country. Poorly equipped and trained with low morale, the Scottish ‘Engager’ Army and its Royalist allies were no match for the New Model Army led by Cromwell. The two sides met at Preston in August 1648 and after an initial clash, the Scots finally surrendered at Warrington two days later.

Following the execution of Charles Ist in January 1649, the Scots supporting his son Charles IInd went to war against England, now a republic. A second invasion of England was launched, and the Scots found themselves corned at Worcester by English forces, once again led by Oliver Cromwell. The battle, the last major action of the British Civil Wars was fought on the 3rd September 1651, was described by Cromwell as ‘a crowning mercy’.

The venue for the 2022 conference was Worcester Cathedral. The obvious theme for the conference was the Scottish invasions of England in 1648 and 1651. Not only did Worcester witness the last major battle of the British Civil Wars, but the Cathedral was used as a temporary prison to hold the Scottish prisoners. 

The papers in this book of proceedings include

Ronald Hutton – Key Note Speaker and Foreword

Stuart Jennings – Colonel Francis Thornhagh and the Battle of Preston, 1648

Peter Gaunt – A Tale of Two Risings: Was the second civil war in England and Wales 

primarily pro-Royalist or anti-Parliamentarian?

Malcolm Wanklyn – The Control of Command in the British Wars 1642-1651  

Edward Furgol – Three armies into one? Scottish Engager military organisation in 1648 

 

"....An excellent book packed with information...VERY definitely worth adding to your shelves." Arquebusier

"...well worth reading for Civil War enthusiasts and students of the early modern era." hamsterwrangler.com

"It's good to see that proceeding of yet another interesting conference organised under auspice of Helion & Company and ‘Century of the Soldier’ series was published and can add more to better understanding of the 17th century conflicts taking place on the British Isles." Michal Paradowski