Rik Sowden, Mres Early-Modern History, University of Birmingham,
[email protected], @Lord_of_Pies Reconstructing and understanding life Violence in a garrison town during a civil war is Nottingham was an important town during the British Civil Wars of The people of Nottingham suffered from: difficult. By combining documentary the 1630s and 40s, which were fought between the King and • The threat of violence evidence with material culture, images, Parliament. Though the King raising his standard in the town it • Injury, abuse, and death and the sounds and smells of life it is rapidly became a stronghold for Parliament in a county which was • Surrounded by the sight, possible to understand the continuity fought over and invaded many times. sound, and smell of battle and discontinuity of Nottingham. • Attack and capture Nottingham’s residents became embroiled in one of the fiercest • Being under siege Three themes have emerged from the areas of fighting in the country. How did a war, military garrison, • Their defenders shot cannon into politics, religion, plotting, and and governor affect life for the people of Nottingham? the town: occupying, not protecting personalities of the town: an underlying threat (and actuality) of violence; a Key military events: heavy burden in money and resources; 1642 and an accompanying disruption of life. - August: King raises his standard, the English Bridgeman Education, Cruelties of the cavaliers, 1644, LLM3629270 Civil War begins Living in a garrisoned town in an area - December: first skirmishes between Newark plagued by civil war attracted violence, and Nottingham’s garrisons Expenses plundering, threats, vast expense, and 1643 Nottingham’s people paid for the garrison the attention of ‘strangers’.