"'A splendid book. It illuminates the whole of the 1650s and Cromwell's complex relationship with the people and culture of the time. A tremendous achievement.' Professor John Morrill, Cambridge University"

The first full-scale study of the rule of Cromwell’s major-generals over England and Wales during 1655 and 1656. This is a period which had a dramatic impact upon contemporaries and has remained a powerful symbol of military rule down to the present day. Contains chapters on the three most important aspects of the major-generals' work: the collection of the decimation tax; the attempt to improve the security of the regime; and the struggle to build the 'Godly Nation'. Concludes with an investigation of the 1656 election and the major-generals subsequent unexpected fall from power. Fills a major gap in the historiography of Cromwellian England.
Les mer
This is a study of the rule of Cromwell's major-generals over England and Wales during the 1655 and 1656, a period which had a dramatic impact upon contemporaries and has remained a powerful symbol of military rule down to the 21st century.
Les mer

Acknowledgements
Abbreviations
1. Introduction: Background and historiography
2. The system: Origins and construction
3. The men: Backgrounds, careers and beliefs
4. The helpers: The commissioners for securing the peace of the Commonwealth
5. Old local government and new local government
6. The decimation tax
7. Securing the peace of the Commonwealth
8. The struggle for the Godly Nation
9. The major-generals and the 1656 election
10. Defeat at Westminster and fall from power
11. Conclusion
Postscript: The major-generals' later careers
Bibliography:
Index
Maps and tables
Map 1: The major-generals' associations
Table 1: The major-generals' associations
Table 2: Numbers of parliamentary seats and exclusions in the major-generals' associations

Les mer
The first full-scale study of the rule of Cromwell’s major-generals over England and Wales during 1655 and 1656. This is a period which had a dramatic impact upon contemporaries and has remained a powerful symbol of military rule down to the present day. Contains chapters on the three most important aspects of the major-generals' work: the collection of the decimation tax; the attempt to improve the security of the regime; and the struggle to build the 'Godly Nation'. Concludes with an investigation of the 1656 election and the major-generals subsequent unexpected fall from power. Fills a major gap in the historiography of Cromwellian England.
Les mer

Produktdetaljer

ISBN
9780719060656
Publisert
2001-05-17
Utgiver
Manchester University Press; Manchester University Press
Vekt
386 gr
Høyde
234 mm
Bredde
156 mm
Dybde
15 mm
Aldersnivå
UU, UP, P, 05, 06
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Heftet
Antall sider
272

Om bidragsyterne

Christopher Durston is Reader in History at St Mary's College, Twickenham