Social forces in times of war: the Courts of 1645-46 and 1653-54

Abstract

This article examines the conflicts created by the perception of the risks of «constitutional» subversion resulting from the novelty that was represented by the presence, after 1640, of a permanent army. The complaints presented in the Courts by the people are analysed as are the negative reactions that the concessions made by the rulers to these complaints caused in the Council of War. In this way a rift was created between the educated classes and the military.