7. The Interregnum

About this Lecture

Lecture

In this module, we look at the period between the execution of Charles I in 1648 and the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660, commonly known as the Interregnum. In particular, we look at the movement known as the Levellers and the Putney House Debates, Barebone's Parliament, the Protectorate, and finally Cromwell's death on 3 September 1658.

Course

This course provides key historical context for John Milton's 'Paradise Lost', looking in particular at the figure of Oliver Cromwell. The course is divided into eight parts. The first looks at Cromwell's invasion of Ireland (1649-53), before subsequent modules look at his early life, his life as a politician, and then a soldier. The fourth, fifth, and sixth modules look at the English Civil Wars, beginning with a general overview of what life (and death) was like in this period, before examining in more detail the First and Second Civil Wars, ending with the trial and execution of Charles I. In the final two modules, we explore the Interregnum and, finally, the Restoration of the Monarchy in 1660.

Lecturer

Diane Purkiss is a Professor at Keble College, Oxford. She has published two books on the English Civil War - 'The English Civil War: A People's History' (2006) and 'Literature, Gender, and Politics during the English Civil War' (2005).