"Who would you be; Royalist or Roundhead? " Topic

After doing more reading about my ancestors. I discovered that not only did some come to the new world but the ones who didn't take the trip wound up fighting on both sides of the Civil War. I've also been reading Michael Arnold's Civil War novels which I think are really good. I have been reading Pikeman's Lament and trying to decide to take the plunge into ECW. I guess I would have to be Royalist, which side would you want to be on? Oh, and which figures would you buy.

A Covenanter for choice.

I'm assuming you actually mean "The Wars of the Three Kingdoms" but it is possible you intend to concentrate on the "English" aspect of the wars (which inconveniently included the Welsh & the Cornish). If so that excludes those in hodden grey as well as James Graham (that's the Marquess of Montrose to you) & folk of that ilk.

Royalist

A Leveller, or perhaps a boatman

Cheers
Ian

I like to describe myself as a "default monarchist" on the basis that I don't think anyone put forward as a presidential candidate in the UK today would be as popular as the current royal family (even at their worst).

As I've said before, it would depend on who I was 370 years ago – if I'd been born into the same sort of family that I was in 1959, I'd probably have been a Royalist, since Parliament wasn't too keen on Irish Catholics in their own country, never mind those living in England.

Covenanter (early). Leveller (late).

I think 1066 And All That nailed the dilemma with their "Wrong but Wromantic/Right but Repulsive" line.

Politically and philosophically, my views hew closer to Parliament's. But in the specific circumstances leading up to the war, my heart is entirely with the king. So while I'm glad in the long run that Parliament won the argument (in 1688, if nothing else) it doesn't stop me from sighing sadly while reading of the royalists' travails.

Which side I'd be on? I honestly don't know. I might have found myself a royalist of the Verney/Montrose type, sympathetic to both sides but siding with the king out of loyalty. Or, possibly less likely, a moderate parliamentarian in the Manchester vein. Conceivably I might have switched sides, fighting for Parliament in the first war but then joining Hamilton, or Montrose, in a later war. Or failing that, Monck at the end of the Commonwealth.

I'm sure I had ancestors on both sides of the war. The only one I know about for certain was a committed royalist. But I have disagreed with my own parents enough to know that the position my ancestors took wouldn't necessarily be my own!

In terms of gaming the period (and/or were I to join a re-enactment group), then I'm a royalist, but of course that has the luxury of fiction about it.

I do both sides. 18mm Blue Moon.

For the glory of God, and the honour and liberty of Parliament.

Haven't done the smaller gents for eons but the 18mm Blue Moonies
look really tempting…….

Royalist, of course. And those that know me, and what/who I look like, would easily agree. :-)

That said, in re-enacting (here in the US), the unit that I raised – The King's Lifeguard of Foote (ECWSA) – was Royalist. However, from time-to-time, played a Parliamentarian, if needed (very rare) for a battle. Mostly, when we would do the Battle of the Severn, sometimes commanded the Providence side against the St. Mary's Militia (Catholics).

With regard to figures, I have armies for both sides, and lots of them.

Enjoy!

Royalist

The side that Cromwell was on.

A Leveller now so Leveller then. An Irish insurgent during the earlier, pre-Leveller days.

Oh, and "Hey for St. Mary's and wives for us all!" :)

I would probably be a Royalist. I generally like the status quo and I am no puritan.

Covenant for Religion, Croune, and Countrie.

got to be royalist for me

Perhaps a grubby clubman – "Steele owre cattel and wee will do battlel"

"I cannot contain myself within my doores, when the King of England's standard waves in the field upon so just occasion: the cause being such as must make all that dye in it little inferior to martyrs. And for myne own part, I desire to acquire an honest name or an honourable grave. I never loved my life or ease so much as to shun such an occasion, wch if I should I were unworthy of the profession I have held as to succeed those Ancestors of mine who have so many of them sacrificed their life for their country." Sir Bevill Grenvile, 1640

Tough question for me. I don't like a big, meddling gov't. and I don't like a single-handed dictatorial type government either.

Royalist just before being impressed. Would you fight for people who ban Christmas, singing & fun in general? Now who do the rebels remind me of….

Foe God and Parliament!

@ Pirate1900,

Possibly the best, and most accurate, typo I've ever seen on TMP.

Why restrict yourself to one side? Lots of people fought for both!

God and Parliament, then England's Freedom Soldier's rights!

………always had a rebel streak so I guess that settles that…..btw those blue mooners paint up really, really well. The facial detail is great and the range is pretty much spot on except for scots and lancer cav.

As a Canadian, I'm a beneficiary of the excellent Parliamentary system of government that developed from a lot of hard work, confrontation and blood.

I don't like the monarchy actually, but I despise Puritanism. It was a time of fundamentalism and fanaticism and none of the sides seem that appealing. That goes doubly for the TYW.

But I do love gaming the ECW(s).

Roundhead of course.

"For really I think that the poorest hee that is in England hath a life to live, as the greatest he; and therefore truly, Sir, I think it clear, that every Man that is to live under a Government ought first by his own Consent to put himself under that Government; and I do think that the poorest man in England is not at all bound in a strict sense to that Government that he hath not had a voice to put Himself under."

Thomas Rainsborough – The Putney Debates 1647.

Although I do have a soft spot for the Northern Horse.

Probably a Roundhead, because I am a staunch Republican in general, which is why I love countries that have presidents.
The only 17th century war whose side I fervently support is the Catholics in the Thirty Years War. Would have loved to taken part at Magdeburg and shot Gustavus at Lützen.

Royalist