Garrisons and Garrison Warfare in the British Civil Wars, 1638-1653

Drawing on extensive archival research and published primary sources, Garrisons and Garrison Warfare in the British Civil Wars examines the role of garrisons—their composition, logistics, financing, armament, and clothing—with particular attention to Worcester, Lichfield, and Windsor.

Military histories of the British Civil Wars have often focused on battles, campaigns, and field armies, neglecting the organisation and function of garrisons, as well as the significance of sieges and garrison warfare. Yet this overlooks a defining feature of the conflict: the most frequent forms of combat were not set-piece engagements, but sieges and assaults on fortified positions.

Apart from the formation of the New Model Army in 1645, substantial numbers of both Royalist and Parliamentarian troops, along with considerable military resources, were committed to garrisoning cities, towns, and ports. The provisioning and maintenance of these garrisons frequently imposed heavy burdens on local civilian populations, who were compelled to supply taxes, goods, and labour.

Garrison troops also played a dynamic role in field operations—marching out to reinforce other forces before returning to their strongholds for protection. Urban centres and their garrisons further controlled trade and the movement of people by dominating the surrounding hinterland and key transportation routes.

By addressing this overlooked dimension of the wars, this study offers a valuable contribution to our understanding of garrison troops and the critical activities they undertook.

"...This book, based on detailed primary archival research, therefore examines the role of garrisons - their composition, logistics, financing, armament and clothing - with particular attention to the Parliamentarian garrison of Windsor Castle; the Royalist garrison of Reading; the Parliamentary garrison of Aylesbury; and Parliamentary garrison of Warwick, each the subject of a separate chapter." Miniature Wargames Magazine, April 2026

"...Is it niche? Absolutely. Does it matter? No. It is niche done particularly well: authoritative without being plodding, detailed without drowning you in academic footnotes, and, most importantly, packed with the sort of insight that reminds you the Civil Wars were far more than set-piece field battles. If you have even a passing interest in the period, the series, or the hidden machinery of seventeenth-century warfare, this is a cracking addition to the shelf. In short, a lively, quietly fascinating study of the real backbone of the wars—those battered, begrimed little garrisons that kept the whole show running. Helion have another winner." carryingsonupthedale.com Blog