A Short History of the English Revolution and the Civil Wars

Prof David J. Appleby

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Hardback

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English

I.B. Tauris
19 February 2026

British & Irish history; Early modern history: c 1450 to c 1700; English Civil War; Revolutionary groups & movements

Series: Short Histories

James I and VI bequeathed his son a reasonably peaceful land in 1625, yet over a decade later, Charles I’s kingdoms erupted one by one into open rebellion- this book explores how this came to be.

David J. Appleby explains how interconnected conflicts arose in the three kingdoms, and how they gave rise to a revolution which swept away the institution of monarchy and the House of Lords. This book shows how the embryonic English republic’s need to counter domestic resistance and international threats caused the fighting to spread to the Channel Islands, the Caribbean and the American colonies. Combining his expertise of the Stuart monarchy and post-conflict culture with a fresh and accessible tone, Appleby unravels why the memory of this conflict remains culturally and politically relevant and hotly contested to this day.

By: Prof David J. Appleby
Imprint: I.B. Tauris
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 216mm, Width: 138mm, Spine: 25mm
ISBN: 9781780766010
ISBN 10: 1780766017
Series: Short Histories
Pages: 232
Publication Date: 19 February 2026
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

1.The Stuart kingdoms 2.Revolution in ‘North Britaine’ (1637-1640) 3.‘Enemies of justice’ (1641) 4.War in England (1642-1643) 5.The soldier’s war 6.The world turned upside down 7.‘Why did we take up arms at first?’ (1644-1645) 8.The bitter taste of victory (1645-1646) 9.The road to revolution (1646-1649) 10.The revolution and Ireland (1641-1652) 11.The revolution and Scotland (1649-1651) 12.Civil war in the British Atlantic (1637-1652) 13.After the storm

David J. Appleby was formerly Lecturer in Early Modern British History at the University of Nottingham, and was made an Honorary Research Fellow on his retirement from university teaching in 2023. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society, and a prize-winning author and podcaster.

Reviews for A Short History of the English Revolution and the Civil Wars

An authoritative and lively narrative account of England’s civil wars of the seventeenth century. Appleby demonstrates his mastery of the military history and a due sensitivity to the horrors of war. An excellent introduction for students. * Tim Harris, Wilkinson Professor of European History, Brown University, USA * Here we have an assured and engaging overview of tumultuous times with an impact far beyond England. Dr Appleby’s relatively short book is remarkably capacious in both the themes and places covered. A vivid narrative of political and military events is combined with astute analysis of the social, cultural and religious contexts inhabited by seventeenth century people. Upheavals in Barbados, and atrocities in Drogheda have their place alongside religious dispute and political agitation in the streets of London, as well as in parliament or the court of Charles I. Throughout David Appleby reminds us of the suffering and resilience of the humbler women and men who experienced most starkly the brutal realities of a bitter civil war. This is both an ideal introduction and a book in which informed readers will find much to ponder. * Ann Hughes, Emerita Professor of Early Modern History, Keele University, UK *