Virtual Branch Recording: The Fall of the English Republic
By Henry Reece, published 20th February 2025

Oliver Cromwell’s death in 1658 sparked a period of unrivalled turmoil and confusion in English history. In less than two years, there were close to ten changes of government; rival armies of Englishmen faced each other across the Scottish border; and the Long Parliament was finally dissolved after two decades.
Why was this period so turbulent, and why did the republic, backed by a formidable standing army, come crashing down in such spectacular fashion? Dr Henry Reece addresses some of these questions in his Virtual Branch talk.
If you're a member of the HA you can watch a recording of the lecture online:
- Primary members view here
- Secondary members view here
- Historian members view here
- Student (14-18) members view here