Why the English Civil Wars are still important today

With Brexit looming and England’s relationship with Ireland at breaking point, can parallels be drawn with the UK’s bloodiest hour?

Civil War, Charles I, Oliver Cromwell
A defeated Charles I is led to his execution by parliamentarians in 1649
(Image credit: Getty Images)

On 22 August 1642, 376 years ago today, war broke out across the British Isles. The country was torn apart, pitting supporters of the king against the parliamentarians.

By the time the dust settled, just over nine years later, hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians were dead. The parliamentarians set about deconstructing the very framework of English society under the guidance of Oliver Cromwell, the actions of whom changed the political landscape of England for good.

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