Christopher Hill examines the millenarian religious ferment of the seventeenth century and finds that it threw up many strange figures—among them an eccentric Anglican divine who prophesied that the second coming was soon to occur in his own parish, where he gathered a large community of religious squatters.
G.R. Batho introduces Henry Percy, the “Wizard Earl”, a man of great gifts and eccentric character who proved a quarrelsome husband and a difficult and unaccommodating parent.
Christopher Hill introduces Roger Crab, former Cromwellian soldier and hatter of Chesham, who took literally the text: “Go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor.” Vegetarian, teetotal, celibate, he led the life of a hermit. This is the first of two studies in 17th-century eccentricity.
C.V. Wedgwood on the the links between the Stuart monarchy and its German relatives preceding, and throughout, the Civil War period.
Philip Baker considers the lasting impact of the Levellers’ famous efforts to reform the English state in the aftermath of the Civil Wars by means of written agreements guaranteeing the sovereignty of the people.
Hugh Trevor-Roper recounts how the “Cromwellian Exiles” returned from abroad to restore the English Church's episcopal structure.
Maurice Cranston assesses the background and impact to Thomas Hobbes' masterwork of religious and political philosophy.
Hugh Trevor-Roper attempts to unravel the mystery surrounding authorship of Charles I's purported last testament.
A.H. Burne assesses the achievements of the leading generals of the first English Civil War.
Celebration of Christmas was curtailed by England’s Puritan republic but the methods and results varied considerably.
