Horses, People and Parliament in the English Civil War

Extracting Resources and Constructing Allegiance

Nonfiction, History, Modern, 17th Century
Cover of the book Horses, People and Parliament in the English Civil War by Gavin Robinson, Taylor and Francis
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Gavin Robinson ISBN: 9781317121268
Publisher: Taylor and Francis Publication: April 22, 2016
Imprint: Routledge Language: English
Author: Gavin Robinson
ISBN: 9781317121268
Publisher: Taylor and Francis
Publication: April 22, 2016
Imprint: Routledge
Language: English

Horses played a major role in the military, economic, social and cultural history of early-modern England. This book uses the supply of horses to parliamentary armies during the English Civil War to make two related points. Firstly it shows how control of resources - although vital to success - is contingent upon a variety of logistical and political considerations. It then demonstrates how competition for resources and construction of individuals’ identities and allegiances fed into each other. Resources, such as horses, did not automatically flow out of areas which were nominally under Parliament’s control. Parliament had to construct administrative systems and make them work. This was not easy when only a minority of the population actively supported either side and property rights had to be negotiated, so the success of these negotiations was never a foregone conclusion. The study also demonstrates how competition for resources and construction of identities fed into each other. It argues that allegiance was not a fixed underlying condition, but was something external and changeable. Actions were more important than thoughts and to secure victory, both sides needed people to do things rather than feel vaguely sympathetic. Furthermore, identities were not always self-fashioned but could be imposed on people against their will, making them liable to disarmament, sequestration, fines or imprisonment. More than simply a book about resources and logistics, this study poses fundamental questions of identity construction, showing how culture and reality influence each other. Through an exploration of Parliament’s interaction with local communities and individuals, it reveals fascinating intersections between military necessity and issues of gender, patriarchy, religion, bureaucracy, nationalism and allegiance.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Horses played a major role in the military, economic, social and cultural history of early-modern England. This book uses the supply of horses to parliamentary armies during the English Civil War to make two related points. Firstly it shows how control of resources - although vital to success - is contingent upon a variety of logistical and political considerations. It then demonstrates how competition for resources and construction of individuals’ identities and allegiances fed into each other. Resources, such as horses, did not automatically flow out of areas which were nominally under Parliament’s control. Parliament had to construct administrative systems and make them work. This was not easy when only a minority of the population actively supported either side and property rights had to be negotiated, so the success of these negotiations was never a foregone conclusion. The study also demonstrates how competition for resources and construction of identities fed into each other. It argues that allegiance was not a fixed underlying condition, but was something external and changeable. Actions were more important than thoughts and to secure victory, both sides needed people to do things rather than feel vaguely sympathetic. Furthermore, identities were not always self-fashioned but could be imposed on people against their will, making them liable to disarmament, sequestration, fines or imprisonment. More than simply a book about resources and logistics, this study poses fundamental questions of identity construction, showing how culture and reality influence each other. Through an exploration of Parliament’s interaction with local communities and individuals, it reveals fascinating intersections between military necessity and issues of gender, patriarchy, religion, bureaucracy, nationalism and allegiance.

More books from Taylor and Francis

Cover of the book Limitations on the Business of Banking (RLE Banking & Finance) by Gavin Robinson
Cover of the book New Religious Movements in the Twenty-First Century by Gavin Robinson
Cover of the book Environmental Governance of Invasive Species by Gavin Robinson
Cover of the book The Routledge Companion to the Geography of International Business by Gavin Robinson
Cover of the book Domestic Environmental Labour by Gavin Robinson
Cover of the book British Migration by Gavin Robinson
Cover of the book The Pina Bausch Sourcebook by Gavin Robinson
Cover of the book Cooperation in Modern Society by Gavin Robinson
Cover of the book Broadcast Journalism by Gavin Robinson
Cover of the book Law and Politics of Constitutional Courts by Gavin Robinson
Cover of the book Empirical Bayes Methods by Gavin Robinson
Cover of the book Ausonius of Bordeaux by Gavin Robinson
Cover of the book Dissemination of Innovation (RLE Edu O) by Gavin Robinson
Cover of the book Freedom & Growth (Routledge Revivals) by Gavin Robinson
Cover of the book Exploring Religion and the Sacred in a Media Age by Gavin Robinson
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy