Recent studies of particular areas during the Civil War have shown how kinship and social and educational ties, far from reinforcing county isolationism, frequently drew inhabitants into a far wider network and divided existing loyalties. Following this approach, Dr Warmington's examination of the history of Gloucestershire during the period begins with the descent into war between 1640 and 1642, showing how the two sides formed and why the Parliamentarians had the more durable war machine. He goes on to consider the anarchic situation between 1645 and 1649 and the series of new experiments in government which followed until 1660, undertaken by an almost entirely new governing group of minor gentlemen, elevated through military service to the regime and by religious affiliations. The attempted rebellion of 1659 is examined in detail, and the book concludes with a look at the Restoration of the Stuart dynasty, the Anglican Church, and the sons of the pre-war county ruling elite, exploring how the new regime compared with its Cromwellian predecessors.
ANDREW WARMINGTONwas formerly senior research assistant in history at the University of Durham, following a First Class degree from York and a D.Phil. from St Peter's College, Oxford. He is now a freelance research analyst.