This seminal work by Samuel Rawson Gardiner examines one of the most tumultuous periods in British history: the English Civil War and the establishment of the Commonwealth and Protectorate. Drawing on a range of sources, Gardiner provides a comprehensive and compelling account of the era, its key players, and its lasting impact on British society and politics. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.