To Settle the Crown

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While the First English Civil War of 1642-46 is often viewed through the lens of major battles and national leaders, this work offers a detailed bipartisan study of the conflict at the county level, specifically in Shropshire. It explores the organization and execution of the war by both Royalists and Parliamentarians in a region marked by intense fighting, which also saw renewed conflict during the Second Civil War of 1648. Drawing on a doctoral thesis and contemporary sources, the book delves into key aspects of military history, including allegiance, motivation, leadership, recruitment, military finance, logistics, and the conduct of fighting. Unlike previous studies that focus primarily on Parliamentarians, this research reconstructs the Royalist war effort in unprecedented detail. It highlights the military activities in Shropshire, detailing sieges, skirmishes, and larger engagements, while also contextualizing the nature of warfare across Civil War England and Wales. Additionally, it illustrates how local government adapted to wartime needs and how the populace engaged in the war effort's administrative and material tasks. This work presents a significant new perspective on the military history of the English Civil Wars.