BETTER BEGGING THAN FIGHTING: The Royalist Army in Exile in the War Against Cromwell 1656-1660

1-213140

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. 30 b/w illustrations, 8pp color plates and maps

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 looks 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.