English Civil War Notes & Maps
Welcome to my English Civil War notes and maps. These pages provide historical notes to accompany the English Civil War historical fiction series Divided Kingdom. I hope you find them useful and thought provoking. There are so very many parallels between the crises of the 17th Century and today. I have seen them reflected time and again in my work and my study.
The General Crisis, English Revolution & 17th Century warfare
You can read about the background to the English Civil War in the first three articles. These start with the impact of the Little Ice Age as an underlying cause of the violence that swept the globe in the 1640s. The 17th Century was Europe’s ‘Golden Age’. But it was also a black age of religious persecution, slaughter, famine, disease and destruction. Our British Civil Wars were the bloodiest in our history. They should be understood as part of The General Crisis of the 17th Century.
The English Revolution came to a head in 1642, erupting as the Great Rebellion and First Civil War. The second article explains the background of the ‘Devil’s Whore’, the Bishops’ War and the Irish Confederate rebellion. It covers the crisis in government and collapse into civil war. The third article explains Pike and Shot Warfare. It also outlines the clash of Dutch and Swedish doctrines at Edgehill in 1642.
English Civil War battles & campaigns
The pages and notes that follow provide historical notes and maps to accompany the Divided Kingdom books. These start with the Battle of Edgehill, fought in 1642. They go on to include notes from historical research of the battles that followed. These include the Battle of Roundway Down and the Storming of Bristol in 1643. The notes are laid out in chronological order, following events in each book.
Early Modern Britain – 17th Century life, lore & ritual
The final section provides notes on 17th Century festivals and beliefs. They include the old and new practices around Hallowmas (30th October to 2nd November). They also cover Gunpowder, Treason & Plot (5th November) and Martinmas (11th November). These notes try to explain Early Modern beliefs, religion, astrology, superstition and lore in Stuart Britain.
If these topics are of interest, you may also enjoy some of my blog posts. These include the 17th Century Almanac. This monthly blog discusses rural life, agricultural labour, farming and fishing lore, faith, ritual and social behaviour in Early Modern Britain. In doing so, it provides the backdrop to the British Civil Wars and the struggles in their colonies. Other posts cover a range of topics from my historical research.
Divided Kingdom – English Civil War historical fiction
These historical notes accompany the text of the English Civil War historical fiction series Divided Kingdom. The novel God’s Vindictive Wrath opens at the Battle of Edgehill and ends with the Battle of Turnham Green in 1642. Desecration is a short story set during the Storming of Winchester and the desecration of Europe’s greatest medieval cathedral. The Keys of Hell and Death covers the war in the west, from the Battle of Lansdown Hill to the Storming of Bristol in 1643.
The Divided Kingdom books take a fresh approach. They are not based on a single hero. They do not take sides. Their voices – ordinary men and women – face each other in the chaos of Britain in civil war. They are both relatable and sharply relevant today. They are also as historically accurate as is possible.
Please do check out some of the writing at Divided Kingdom Books, including book tasters and a FREE ebook short story.
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This website also includes posts on Early Modern history, Living History and re-enactment at News & Events. You may also wish to read about the English Civil War history talks and battlefield walks I give.
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