Second Civil War

Second Civil War is in 1640-1649 Civil War and Regicide.

2nd Millennium, 17th Century Events, 1640-1649 Civil War and Regicide, Second Civil War, 1648 Kentish Rebellion

The May 1648 Kentish Rebellion was, in effect, the commencement of the Second Civil War of 1648. The rebels, commanded by George Goring 1st Earl Norwich, raised forces across Kent. Deal Castle [Map], Walmer Castle [Map] and Sandown Castle surrendered. The rebels then besieged Dover Castle [Map]. Parliament dispatched troops commanded by Nathaniel Rich of Stondon to suppress the rebels.

2nd Millennium, 17th Century Events, 1640-1649 Civil War and Regicide, Second Civil War, Battle of Willoughby Field

On 05 Jul 1648 Michael Stanhope (age 24) was killed at Willoughby-on-the-Wolds [Map] during the Battle of Willoughby Field.

2nd Millennium, 17th Century Events, 1640-1649 Civil War and Regicide, Second Civil War, Battle of St Neots

On 07 Jul 1648 Kenelm Digby (age 23) and Francis Villiers (age 19) were killed.

On 10 Jul 1648 Henry Rich 1st Earl Holland (age 57) fought for the Royalist army, and surrendered, by his account, on condition his life would be spared. He was executed ten months later.

Battle of Preston

On 17 Aug 1648 John Hay 1st Marquess Teviotdale (age 23) for the Royalist army at Walton en le Dale, Preston during the Battle of Preston.

Brothers William Widdrington 4th Baron Widdrington, Charles Widdrington and Peregrine Widdrington were captured and attainted. Baron Widdrington of Blankney in Lincolnshire forfeit.

In 1715 William Widdrington 4th Baron Widdrington (age 37) took part in the Jacobite Rising, and with two of his brothers, Charles Widdrington and Peregrine Widdrington, was taken prisoner after the Battle of Preston. He was convicted of high treason and condemned to death, and his title Baron Widdrington of Blankney in Lincolnshire and estates were forfeit. He was reprieved after an intervention by his wife, Catherine Graham.

Siege of Colchester

Evelyn's Diary. 30 May 1648. There was a rising now in Kent, my Lord of Norwich (age 63) being at the head of them. Their first rendezvous was in Broome-field, next my house at Sayes Court, Deptford [Map], whence they went to Maidstone, and so to Colchester [Map], where was that memorable siege.

On 28 Aug 1648 Colchester [Map] surrendered to Parliament forces after a three month siege.

Charles Lucas (age 35) and George Lisle surrendered, subjected to a trial and were shot and killed in Colchester Castle.

Evelyn's Diary. 08 Jul 1656. To Colchester [Map], a fair town, but now wretchedly demolished by the late siege, especially the suburbs, which were all burned, but were then repairing. The town is built on a rising ground, having fair meadows on one side, and a river with a strong ancient castle, said to have been built by King Coilus, father of Helena, mother of Constantine the Great, of whom I find no memory save at the pinnacle of one of their wool-staple houses, where is a statue of Coilus, in wood, wretchedly carved. The walls are exceedingly strong, deeply trenched, and filled with earth. It has six gates, and some watchtowers, and some handsome churches. But what was shown us as a kind of miracle, at the outside of the Castle, the wall where Sir Charles Lucas (age 43) and Sir George Lisle, those valiant and noble persons who so bravely behaved themselves in the last siege, were barbarously shot, murdered by Ireton in cold blood, after surrendering on articles; having been disappointed of relief from the Scotch army, which had been defeated with the King at Worcester. The place was bare of grass for a large space, all the rest of it abounding with herbage. For the rest, this is a ragged and factious town, now swarming with sectaries. Their trading is in cloth with the Dutch, and baize and says with Spain; it is the only place in England where these stuffs are made unsophisticated. It is also famous for oysters and eringo root, growing hereabout, and candied for sale.

Evelyn's Diary. 24 Mar 1688. I went with Sir Charles Littleton (age 60) to Sheen [Map], a house and estate given him by Lord Brounker; one who was ever noted for a hard, covetous, vicious man; but for his worldly craft and skill in gaming few exceeded him. Coming to die, he bequeathed all his land, house, furniture, etc., to Sir Charles (age 60), to whom he had no manner of relation, but an ancient friendship contracted at the famous siege of Colchester, forty years before. It is a pretty place, with fine gardens, and well planted, and given to one worthy of them, Sir Charles (age 60) being an honest gentleman and soldier. He is brother to Sir Henry Littleton (age 64) of Worcestershire, whose great estate he is likely to inherit, his brother being without children. They are descendants of the great lawyer of that name, and give the same arms and motto. He is married to one Mrs. Temple (age 39), formerly Maid of Honour to the late Queen (age 49), a beautiful lady, and he has many fine children, so that none envy his good fortune.

2nd Millennium, 17th Century Events, 1640-1649 Civil War and Regicide, Second Civil War, Treaty of Newport

Between 15 Sep 1648 and 27 Nov 1648 the Treaty of Newport attempted to reconcile King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 47) (who was imprisoned at nearby Carisbrooke Castle [Map]) with Parliament. Denzil Holles 1st Baron Holles (age 48) and Henry Vane "The Younger" (age 35) represented Parliament. James Butler 1st Duke Ormonde (age 37) represented King Charles. The Treaty eventually came to nothing.

Parliament was also represented by John Crew 1st Baron Crew (age 50), John Glynne (age 46), Nathaniel Fiennes (age 40), William Pierrepont of Thoresby (age 40), Algernon Percy 10th Earl of Northumberland (age 45), William Fiennes 1st Viscount Saye and Sele (age 66), Philip Herbert 4th Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Montgomery (age 63), William Cecil 2nd Earl Salisbury (age 57), James Cranfield 2nd Earl Middlesex (age 27) and Thomas Wenman 2nd Viscount Wenman (age 52).

Evelyn's Diary. 13 Dec 1648. The Parliament now sat up the whole night, and endeavored to have concluded the Isle of Wight Treaty; but were surprised by the rebel army; the members dispersed, and great confusion every where in expectation of what would be next.

Pepy's Diary. 09 Nov 1663. Thence I took leave of them, and so having taken up something at my wife's tailor's, I home by coach and there to my office, whither Shales came and I had much discourse with him about the business of the victualling, and thence in the evening to the Coffee-house, and there sat till by and by, by appointment Will brought me word that his uncle Blackburne was ready to speak with me. So I went down to him, and he and I to a taverne hard by, and there I begun to speak to Will friendlily, advising him how to carry himself now he is going from under my roof, without any reflections upon the occasion from whence his removal arose. This his uncle seconded, and after laying down to him his duty to me, and what I expect of him, in a discourse of about a quarter of an houre or more, we agreed upon his going this week, towards the latter (end) of the week, and so dismissed him, and Mr. Blackburne and I fell to talk of many things, wherein I did speak so freely to him in many things agreeing with his sense that he was very open to me: first, in that of religion, he makes it great matter of prudence for the King (age 33) and Council to suffer liberty of conscience; and imputes the losse of Hungary to the Turke from the Emperor's denying them this liberty of their religion. He says that many pious ministers of the word of God, some thousands of them, do now beg their bread: and told me how highly the present clergy carry themselves every where, so as that they are hated and laughed at by everybody; among other things, for their excommunications, which they send upon the least occasions almost that can be. And I am convinced in my judgement, not only from his discourse, but my thoughts in general, that the present clergy will never heartily go down with the generality of the commons of England; they have been so used to liberty and freedom, and they are so acquainted with the pride and debauchery of the present clergy. He did give me many stories of the affronts which the clergy receive in all places of England from the gentry and ordinary persons of the parish. He do tell me what the City thinks of General Monk (age 54), as of a most perfidious man that hath betrayed every body, and the King (age 33) also; who, as he thinks, and his party, and so I have heard other good friends of the King (age 33) say, it might have been better for the King (age 33) to have had his hands a little bound for the present, than be forced to bring such a crew of poor people about him, and be liable to satisfy the demands of every one of them. He told me that to his knowledge (being present at every meeting at the Treaty at the Isle of Wight), that the old King did confess himself overruled and convinced in his judgement against the Bishopps, and would have suffered and did agree to exclude the service out of the churches, nay his own chappell; and that he did always say, that this he did not by force, for that he would never abate one inch by any vyolence; but what he did was out of his reason and judgement.

2nd Millennium, 17th Century Events, 1640-1649 Civil War and Regicide, Second Civil War, Pride's Purge

In 1645 John Burgoyne 1st Baronet (age 52) was elected MP Warwickshire in the Long Parliament which seat he held until 1648 when excluded by Pride's Purge.

In 1646 Herbert Springet 1st Baronet (age 33) was elected MP New Shoreham which seat he held until 1648 when excluded by Pride's Purge.

On 06 Jan 1649 Thomas Pride, on behalf of Thomas Fairfax 3rd Lord Fairfax (age 36) and Henry Ireton (age 38), supported by two regiments, and Nathaniel Rich's (age 24) Regiment of Horse, with Thomas Grey (age 26), prevented MPs opposed to the trial of King Charles I (age 48) from entering Parliament including ...

James Herbert (age 26).

Robert Pye (age 29).

Ambrose Browne 1st Baronet.

Denzil Holles 1st Baron Holles (age 49).

John Spelman (age 42).