European University Institute Library

The Army in Cromwellian England, 1649-1660, Henry Reece

eng

Includes bibliographical references (pages [235]-255) and index

index present

non fiction

The Army in Cromwellian England, 1649-1660

bibliography

808415143

Henry Reece

"From 1649-1660 England was ruled by a standing army for the only time in its history. In The Army in Cromwellian England Henry Reece describes, for the first time, the nature of that experience, both for members of the army and for civilian society. Split into three parts, the first section looks at the size of the army, its material needs, promotion structure, and political engagement to provide a sense of the day-to-day reality of being part of a standing army. The second part considers the impact of the military presence on society by establishing where soldiers were quartered, how they were paid, the material burden that they represented, the divisive effects of the army's patronage of religious radicals, and the extensive involvement of army officers in the government of the localities. The final section re-evaluates the army's role in the political events from Cromwell's death to the restoration of the Stuart monarchy, and explains why the army crumbled so pitifully in the last months of the Commonwealth. The book features: This is the first study focusing on the army from 1649-1660, and the first to study the impact of military presence on society ; Offers new perspectives on Cromwell and the army ; Questions the textbook view of widespread civilian hostility to a standing army ; Offers a major re-reading of events after Cromwell's death."--, Publisher's website

Part 1: The Character of the Army. A Standing Army ; Promotion and Patronage ; Political Engagement. -- Part 2: The Army and Society. The Garrisoning and Quartering of the Army ; The Provision of Pay to the Army ; The Material Impact of the Military Presence ; The Religious Impact of the Military Presence ; The Army and the Government of the Localities. -- Part 3: The Army and the End of the Republic. The Military Presence Unchecked ; The Purges of 1659-1660 and the Demise of the Army ; Conclusion