(6 Vols.)

Edward Earl of Clarendon

Late Lord High Chancellor of England, Privy Counsellor in the Reigns of King Charles the First and Second

Published in 1707, and written by someone who not only experienced the civil war, but who held a high position at the time.

From the preface:

"This history was first begun by the express Command of King Charles the First, who having a desire, that an account of the calamities, God was pleased to inflict on the unhappy part of his reign, should be reported to posterity by some worthy, knowing and honest man, thought that he could not appoint anyone more adorn'd with such qualifications, than this author."

What more can we say? Apart from the fact that this is the original account of the English Civil War.

This is a most unusual book.

During the English Civil War, Presbyterian ministers and church councils were established in London's churches. These people had to be proposed and vetted (to ensure that they were sympathetic with the new government!) Furthermore, they had to be seen to be promoting the new government in their sermons, and giving thanks and blessings for the various victories of the time.

This book contains transcripts of the proposals for the new ministers and church councils of each of those churches, plus the records of their support for the government, and letters relating to the lack of the right words being used in their sermons!