Dr Alastair Massie presents a warrant signed by King Charles I authorising Lord Willoughby of Eresby to raise the King's Lifeguard.
Charles I's Warrant (video)
Transcript
Voiceover:
Now, in 'A small piece of history', Dr Alastair Massie of the National Army Museum presents a favourite object from the Collection.
Dr Alastair Massie:
The reason I consider this a favourite object of mine is that it's a document that in effect marks the start of the English Civil War.
This is a warrant signed by King Charles I, on 13 August 1642 at Nottingham to Montagu Bertie, Lord Willoughby, to raise a force to act as the King's Lifeguard, consisting of 1500 foot and 500 dragoons.
King Charles had been chased away from London and he had to find support, which he found in the North and that's where he raised his standard to fight parliament.
The charge against Charles I when he was finally executed some seven years later was that he had levied war on his own people. And I suppose if that's the charge this might have been considered an incriminating document.
Add your comment
Please note: By submitting a comment you are agreeing to the terms laid out in the National Army Museum's Rules for User Comments. Any views expressed in user comments do not necessarily reflect or represent the views of the National Army Museum or its staff.