Posted on 24th Nov
The National Civil War Centre in Newark, in partnership with The World Turned Upside Down, has announced the publication of The Civil Wars in 100 Objects, a new book that brings Britain’s most turbulent period to life through artefacts that tell extraordinary stories.
The Civil Wars in 100 Objects is edited by Professor Andrew Hopper, of the University of Oxford, said: “The British Civil Wars were defining moments in British and Irish history. This book offers a fresh approach to understanding its complexity and significance.
“Through the prism of 100 beautifully-illustrated objects, from manuscripts to household goods, through the personal possessions and weapons of the famous, to the architecture that defined religious and military change, these objects offer intimate connections with the past and shed new light on these tumultuous times.”
Denise Greany, who oversees learning and education at the National Civil War Centre and wrote the foreword, added: “This book is a treasure trove of insight. Each object reveals a unique perspective on the conflict, helping us understand not just the battles, but the lives and emotions of those who lived through them.”
Glyn Hughes, curator at the National Civil War Centre and contributor to the book, added: “We wanted to create something that connects people to the past in a tangible way.
“These objects speak volumes about resilience, belief, and the everyday realities of war.
“The people, events and ideas of the British Civil Wars are explored by a range of leading historians, and the book offers fascinating insights into a time of huge challenge and change, when local communities suffered famine, disease and loss.
“As well as the suffering, there was also huge creativity which led to significant changes in religion, science and politics that turned the world upside down forever and in ways that we still see today.”
