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2. "Who's Who" in the background period of the civil wars 

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Initials used in text -  

Royalists:

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3. Personalities of the Civil War Period 

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• Goring, George, Lord Royalist cavalry commander admired by some for his bravery, brilliance and charm; reviled by others for his drunkenness, debauchery and irresponsibility. A biographical essay from the BCW&C site
• Ralph Hopton Hopton was the chairman of the parliamentary committee which presented the Grand Remonstrance to King Charles I...but he later defected to the royalist cause. Eventually appointed commander-in-chief of the Royalist western army.
  • Hopton, Sir Ralph, Lord . (BCW&C)
• Maurice of the Palatine Prince  It is often suggested that Prince Maurice was merely Prince Rupert's shadow, following him around, but contributing little himself. In fact, Prince Maurice's military career, both before and during the Civil War, saw him acting quite independently of his brother. (ECWSA)
• Montrose, Marquis Scottish general and Royalist hero who won a series of spectacular victories in Scotland against the Covenanters in 1644-5.  (BCW&C)
  • 1st Marquis of Montrose Society The history of the 1st Marquis of Montrose, his life and deeds, together with membership information for the society.
• Newcastle, Marquis Royalist magnate and commander of the King's forces in the north of England 1642-4. (BCW&C)
• Ormond, Marquis Leading nobleman of the 'Old English' aristocracy of Ireland who briefly succeeded in uniting various Irish factions in support of King Charles. (BCW&C)
• Prince Rupert of the Rhine King Charles' nephew and commander of the Royalist cavalry. One of the most charismatic of the Royalist leaders, but thwarted by jealousy and rivalry amongst King Charles' courtiers. Basic bio listing.
  • Rupert of the Rhine, Prince (BCW&C) essay
  • Prince Rupert and Boy Amusing site tells the story and anecdotes surrounding Rupert and his pet dog....

Parliament:

• Outline biographies
• Academic articles & assessments

• Blake, Robert A popular hero of the Roundheads through his dogged defence of Lyme and Taunton during the civil war. Became an admiral under the Commonwealth and is regarded as second only to Nelson in British naval history. (BCW&C) site
• Essex, Earl of Aristocratic commander of the Parliamentary army for the first three years of the Civil War. An erratic general whose overall lack of success prompted the formation of the New Model Army. (BCW&C).
• Fairfax, Sir Thomas, Lord (BCW&C).
• Harrison, Thomas Cromwellian army officer who rose to high military and political office. A leader of the fanatical Fifth Monarchy Men and an unrepentant Regicide. (BCW&C)
• Ireton, Henry Cromwell's right-hand man in his dealings with the Levellers and a leading architect of the King's trial and execution. Cool, taciturn and intellectual in contrast to Cromwell's passion and emotion. (BCW&C)
• Lambert, John Gained a brilliant reputation as a Parliamentarian officer in the Civil Wars and was highly active in Commonwealth politics, leading the last military resistance to the Restoration (BW&C)
• Lilburne, John Radical political firebrand who began his career as a martyr for Puritan doctrine, became a champion of the Levellers and political democracy, and ended his days as a Quaker and pacifist. (BCW&C)
  • John Lilburne - Leveller leader Interesting page of basic detail and facsimile docs from Britains National Archive.
• Manchester, Earl of  Commander of Parliament's Eastern Association army whose generalship was fiercely criticised by Oliver Cromwell. (BCW&C)
• General Monck Excellent site to the political survivor which includes excerpts from Monck's book Observations Upon Political and Military Affairs.
  • Monck, George  Professional soldier who fought for both sides during the Civil Wars. He attained high office under Cromwell's Protectorate, then gained a dukedom by securing the Restoration of Charles II. (BCW&C)
• Waller, Sir William  The leading Parliamentary commander in southern England during the first three years of the Civil War, later a political leader of the Presbyterian faction in the House of Commons. (BCW&C) essay

Not found who you want? Try the ever expanding BCW&C list of Biographies

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4. Civilian life 

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General sites on everyday life:

Many of these articles are written and provided by Civil war enactment societies to make their re-enactments of battles as authentic as possible. They help give an insight into 17th century life.

• Life in the Seveenteenth Century - Part 1- Being a brief, but useful, down to earth background on everyday English life for use in living history From ECWSA Notes & Queries (Caliver Books/Partizan Press)
• Time Travellers Guide to Stuart Britain From Channel 4. General overview of life & society. Good spread of detail & visually interesting
• Birth and Education - Part 1 of 4 - Good background on aspects of health, disease, life expectancy etc. By Clive & Lynn Simpson ('ECWSA Notes & Queries' - Caliver Books/Partizan Press)
• Birth and Education - Part 2 of 4  -  There does not seem to be a part 3 or 4??
• Mid 17th Century Europe: 1630-1665 From costumes.org slow to load but detailed list of (some quite academic) fashion links. Very comprehensive and interesting.

Local studies

• The parish of Rowner near Portsmouth southern England in 1642 Detailed research into various aspects of everyday life in Hampshire during the first year of war. Originally a booklet researched to assist in an historical re-enactment of rural life around the parish of Rowner in early 17^th century England, these pages may be of interest to other researchers and teachers. Use the index for details of 1642. By Roger Towner & Richard Roberts
• The Democratic Revolution in the Company of Thames Watermen, 1641 - 1642 by Christopher O'Riordan  This article originally appeared in East London Journal,  (1983). Used as part of a larger work. Online version: The Thames Watermen in the Century of Revolution. Chapter 4 considers the role of the watermen during the years of revolution