A new history of the English Civil War which uses first-hand contemporaneous accounts to bring the period and its characters to life. As well as the most famous and lively documents, diaries and court cases of the period, the author has uncovered less-known sources to present a fascinating new angle on the years between 1637 and 1652 when Cromwell's Roundheads and Charles I's Cavaliers fought over Anglican reforms and Scottish rule. Written by Tristram Hunt, the up-and-coming celebrity historian, this is both the perfect introduction to the English Civil War and a companion for anyone wanting to delve deeper into its history.