The Blood in Winter: A Nation Descends, 1642

Jonathan Healey highlights the importance of 1642 and the crucial months that brought England to the brink of civil war.

About the event

In 1641, after a plague-ridden and politically unstable summer, England found itself in a semblance of peace. The warring English and Scottish armies had disbanded, legislation had passed to ensure Parliament would continue to sit, and the people were tentatively optimistic. But King Charles I was not satisfied – he wanted revenge.

Historian Jonathan Healey charts England’s winter of discontent, highlighting the role of revolutionary political sects in London, the rise of radical new religious groups and the mounting fear as Ireland erupted into revolt.

He will also show how Charles’s decision to march on Westminster set in motion a series of events that would lead to bloodshed and war, changing a nation forever and birthing a great political awakening.

Additional information

This event is eligible for our 20% ticket bundle discount.

Book tickets to three or more different events across the festival and you can save 20%. Tickets must be purchased in the same transaction and the discount will automatically be applied within the basket.

About the speaker

Jonathan Healey is a historian of the 16th and 17th centuries. His writing focuses on ordinary people – their lives, loves, culture and politics. He is Associate Professor in Social History at the University of Oxford. His previous book, ‘The Blazing World: A New History of Revolutionary England’, was selected as a book of the year by ‘The Telegraph’, ‘The Economist’ and ‘The New Yorker’.