The Oxford Guide - Differences between Version 8 and Version 1 of Civil War

Version 8 Version 1
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The English Civil Wars were a pair of armed conflicts between the forces of Parliament and King Charles I in the mid seventeenth century. Oxford played a pivotal role in the first war.
From 1642 to 1646 Oxford was the capital of Royalist England and headquarters of the king's army. Charles I took over the city and university, exploiting their resources to finance military campaigns. The king lodged at [[Christ Church]] and the queen at [[Merton College]].
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Despite (marginal) success at Edgehill and a conclusive victory at Brentford, in November 1642 Royalist forces met a much stronger Parliamentary army at Turnham Green. The King had no option but to retreat to Oxford, which became the Royalist capital of England for the remainder of the war.
In general the university supported the king, while several leading townsmen fled to Abingdon when the Royalists arrived. Most citizens kept a low profile and benefited from the presence of the court. Silver plate from the colleges was turned into coins by the mint at [[New Inn Hall]]; munitions were stored in [[New College]] cloisters; and captured Parliamentarians were imprisoned in the castle. Elaborate defensive earthworks were thrown up around the city, destroying property particularly in the St Clement's area. An accidental fire in 1644 swept through the area between George Street and St Ebbe's.
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The University took the Royalist side throughout the hostilities, and provided Charles and his retinue with facilities and accommodation. The view among the townsfolk was not so clear cut: some of them found it expedient to flee the city.
By 1646 the war was over and Oxford surrendered to a Parliamentary army on 24 June, the king having escaped in disguise two months previously. In 1651 the military ordered that the city's defences should be destroyed.
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In 1645, however, the war turned decisively against the King: Fairfax's New Model Army crushed Royalist forces at Naseby and then Langport. Charles fled Oxford, eventually disbanding his army and finding refuge with the Scots. In 1646 he was delivered to parliamentary custody, bringing an end to the First Civil War.

More information on the Civil War in relation to Oxford is available from the County Council
at [http://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/index/libraries_heritage_countryside/oxfordshire_museums_service/virtualexhibitions/storyofoxford/civil_war.htm].
The university took advantage of the situation and making Oliver Cromwell chancellor, and also seized the initiative on the restoration of Charles II in 1660. Between this period the what was to become know as the Royal Society was formed by mathematicians and scientists meeting at [[Wadham College]].
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From 1642 to 1646 Oxford was the capital of Royalist England and headquarters of the king's army. Charles I took over the city and university, exploiting their resources to finance military campaigns. The king lodged at Christ Church and the queen at Merton College.

In general the university supported the king, while several leading townsmen fled to Abingdon when the Royalists arrived. Most citizens kept a low profile and benefited from the presence of the court. Silver plate from the colleges was turned into coins by the mint at New Inn Hall; munitions were stored in New College cloisters; and captured Parliamentarians were imprisoned in the castle. Elaborate defensive earthworks were thrown up around the city, destroying property particularly in the St Clement's area. An accidental fire in 1644 swept through the area between George Street and St Ebbe's.

By 1646 the war was over and Oxford surrendered to a Parliamentary army on 24 June, the king having escaped in disguise two months previously. In 1651 the military ordered that the city's defences should be destroyed.

The university took advantage of the situation and making Oliver Cromwell chancellor, and also seized the initiative on the restoration of Charles II in 1660. Between this period the what was to become know as the Royal Society was formed by mathematicians and scientists meeting at Wadham College.


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