"The English Civil War (1642-53) remains one of the most crucial periods in British history. Its implications, historical significance and even definition continue to be debated by historians. Students will greatly welcome this brand new Seminar Study which introduces them to these arguments as well as providing a concise summary of the events themselves." "The Civil War followed political revolutions in Scotland and England and came in the wake of a failed political revolution turned rebellion in Ireland. It was Charles I's attempt to reassert his authority in the face of political revolution that led to the outbreak of hostilities in 1642. However, after the defeat of the royalists in 1646 Martyn Bennett argues that it was Parliament's failure to secure political and social stability which opened the way to even more radical changes in English government and religion. The book deals with the military campaigns in all four nations thereby situating the war in its full British and Irish context. The author also examines how the war affected the people themselves and, critically, the political institutions of mid-seventeenth century England."--BOOK JACKET.