The decade of the Commonwealth under Cromwell marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of Britain's naval power, bridging the gap between the eras of Drake and Nelson. This period was crucial for advancements in naval strategy and organization, significantly shaping the trajectory of British maritime dominance over the ensuing centuries.
The defeat of the Spanish Armada is one of the turning points in English history, and it was perhaps the defining episode in the long reigns of Elizabeth I of England and Philip II of Spain. The running battle along the Channel between the nimble English ships and the lumbering Spanish galleons has achieved almost legendary status. In this compelling new account John Barratt reconstructs the battle against the Armada in the concise, clear Campaign Chronicles format, which records the action in vivid detail, day by day, hour by hour. He questions common assumptions about the battle and looks again at aspects of the action that have been debated or misunderstood. Included are full orders of battle showing the chains of command and the effective strengths and fighting capabilities of the opposing fleets. There is also an in-depth analysis of the far-reaching consequences of the wreck of Philip II's great enterprise.
The opening years of the fifteenth century saw one of the most bitterly contested political and military convulsions in the history of the British Isles, a conflict that is too-often overlooked by military historians. Henry IV, who had overthrown and probably murdered his predecessor Richard II, fought a protracted and bloody campaign against the most powerful nobles in the land. This war is the subject of John Barratt's gripping study.The Percy family, the 'Kings of the North', and their most famous leader Sir Henry Percy - 'Hotspur', whose fiery nature and military prowess were immortalized by Shakespeare - stood out against Henry's rule. And the beleaguered king also had to contend with a range of other unrelenting opponents, among them Owain Glyn Dwr, who led the Welsh revolt against English supremacy. In this graphic account of the first, deeply troubled years of Henry IV's reign, John Barratt concentrates on the warfare, in particular on the set piece pitched battles fought at Homildon Hill, Pilleth and Shrewsbury. His story brings to life the embittered politics and the personal and family enmities that gave rise to armed conflict. And he describes in vivid detail the tactics and fighting methods of the day, which were dominated by the devastating power of the English longbow.
The Search for Status and Security, 1945 1988
The book provides a thorough analysis of South Africa's foreign policy from 1945 onward, highlighting the interplay between national security and international status amid tumultuous domestic politics. The authors critically assess how the Pretoria government has navigated these challenges, offering insights into the complexities of its diplomatic strategies and the historical context that shaped them.
The book delves into the pivotal battle of Newbury, a significant event in the English Civil War. It explores the strategies, key figures, and the political context surrounding the conflict, highlighting its impact on the war's progression. Through detailed accounts and analysis, the narrative brings to life the challenges faced by both sides, the changing dynamics of power, and the broader implications of the battle on English history.
Sieges determined the course of the English Civil Wars, yet they receive scant attention. In contrast, the major set-piece battles are repeatedly analyzed and reassessed. As a result our understanding of the conflict, and of its outcome, is incomplete.John Barratt, in this lucid and perceptive account, makes the siege the focal point of his study. As well as looking at the theory and practice of siege warfare and fortification, he considers the often-devastating human impact. Using a selection of graphic examples, he shows how siege warfare could ruin the lives of the soldiers - and the civilians - caught up in it.He examines in detail a dozen sieges, using a combination of eyewitness accounts, other contemporary sources, archaeological surveys, and other modern research. His study provides a detailed and vivid reconstruction of these often neglected episodes of civil war history.
Cavalier Capital, the first detailed account of Oxford's role as Royalist capital to appear for almost three-quarters of a century, examines all aspects of Oxford's experience in the English Civil War.
Cromwell's alliance with France in 1657 opened for the English Republic and Charles II's army in exile a new theater of war in Flanders - in addition to England's ongoing war with Spain. It resulted in the old opponents of the Civil Wars in Britain meeting in combat once again. This book tells the story of the two armies: Charles II's polyglot army of Irish, Scottish and English soldiers - fighting for the Stuarts for a variety of reasons - and the expeditionary force dispatched by Cromwell to assist his French allies, with the objective of securing Dunkirk as an English possession. The book, the first detailed study in English, will relate how the two armies were raised and equipped; the commanders and their colorful personalities; and the lives of the soldiers and their campaigns - climaxing with the Battle of the Dunes and the siege of Dunkirk. It will examine the English garrison, and the later history of this and of Charles II's 'forgotten army'. It will also look at the Spanish and French armies, with which Royalists and Republicans were allied. Full use will be made of contemporary and more modern sources - including the letters, journals and memoirs of participants on both sides. The book will be of interest to historians and students of the period, re-enactors and wargamers, and to all interested in a little-known conflict fought across an area much more familiar to English readers for its later wars.
The story of the Royalist Northern Horse and its campaigns in 1644-45.
Jacob Lord Astley and the Stow on gthe Wold Campaign, 1646, a nd the end of the Civil War in the Welsh Marches.