Battle scarred castles of England.

A FIGHT AGAINST TYRANNY.
Two castles which have been besieged by OLIVER CROMWELL and his parliamentary army ( nicknamed "Roundheads") during the English civil-wars of the 17th century. Both have been heavily damaged by Cannon-fire and later were blown-up by order of parliament to prevent their further use by Royalists. ( Nicknamed "Cavaliers")
The castles are much older than the 17th century. Sherborne castle, the second one shown in the images, dates from AD 1130, and later was leased to Sir Walter Raleigh by Queen Elizabeth 1st in the 1590s.
Of course Sir Walter lived here and was probably visited by Queen Elizabeth.
The life of both these castles came to an end in about AD 1645 during the wars. The music here is: "THE BATTLE OF MARSTON MOOR: JULY 2nd 1644"; THE largest battle ever fought on British soil, (45,000 men on the battlefield) It is suitable for this video. Listen to how well the sound of Cannon fire and sword clashes have been simulated in this piece.

**NB: Although, in this video, Cromwell's words are directed at King Charles 1st, today's elected "Democratic" dictatorships & petty tyrants would do well to pay heed to history; they would not want to see it repeated. The real power is not with them, but with the people whom they shove around whilst taking away civil-liberties, and acting like they are the masters instead of servants of the people.
These pictures are of ruined castles, but they can just as easily be modern buildings of local and national government administration if the wrath of the people is not addressed.



********************* Authentic woodwind instruments of the period have been used in this video: A Bass-Krumhorn & Shawm, though they were in use from the Medieval period. The Bass-Krumhorn is the deep bass pipe, with throaty sound heard throughout the vid., but more noticeably after almost 4 minutes.
Information about the period instruments used is from the sleeve notes of the original vinyl album containing this music.


One last note here. Oliver Cromwell's name has been blackened by events in Ireland. The sieges of Drogheda & Wexford were carried out according to the siege rules of the time, and all knew of them; that "no quarter" would be afforded to those who would not surrender when given the chance.
This rule of war was written to shorten sieges, and preserve the lives of the troops and the besieged. The commander at Drogheda was an Englishman, Sir Arthur Aston, a Royalist who perhaps had his own agenda and reasons for not surrendering. He gave no thought to those living in the town, and the consequences of his actions. He thought that 20 feet high walls would suffice against a trained army of several thousand horse and foot soldiers, with artillery comprising 11 siege guns and many field cannons: he was wrong. There was no excuse for what happened later when the walls had been breached by the Cromwellian army, but one has to view this from the 17th century perspective, and at that time it was, seemingly, following the rules.
Wexford was a lesser event but treachery and deceit whilst talking peace with the Cromwellians saw another dastardly, regrettable massacre.
In both case Oliver Cromwell pleaded with the commanders of both towns to surrender, but literally "saw red" when he saw some of his troops obliterated, cut to pieces.
He was not feeling in a humane mood during September and October 1649, particularly as his men besieging Drogheda and Wexford were dying of disease caused by foul weather, and starvation.
It is well documented that there was never any orders to attack non-combatants, and indeed in most cases he allowed "enemy" to walk, once they had given up their weapons.
It is clear that during any battle those we euphemistically now call "collateral damage" get hurt; ask anyone serving in Iraq, who will tell you that it maybe difficult to tell who is a combatant and who is a fighter.

Strict discipline was imposed on Cromwell's men, so far as two of them suffered the ultimate punishment for stealing chickens from two Irish women.
On the whole Cromwell WAS a humane man. At Drogheda, Cromwell's reaction, when he saw a baby trying to feed from its dead mother's breast, was as you and I would have. There were no cases of violation of women after these sieges. Cromwell gave freedom to many, including the Jews who found freedom to worship under his rule as Lord Protector of the Commonwealth. This is still remembered by the Jews today, who once a year lay a wreath at Cromwell's statue, in London.

High res photos of these two castles at:
http://community.webshots.com/user/mikesey

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Oliver
• Cromwell
• Civil
• War
• England.
• Marston
• Moor
• Queen
• Elizabeth
• 1st
• Castles
• Sir
• Walter
• Raleigh
• Roundheads
• Cavaliers

[SteveOSpielberg]

Thank you for letting me know about this video fantastic shots as usuall

[mikesey1]

@SteveOSpielberg

Thanks Steve. Appreciated.

[mysticmagic4760]

5 stars. Great video.

[mikesey1]

Thanks!

[TheReaperHasSpoken]

Great video and perfect choice of music. 5*s on the pics as well... The grass is so green in England!!!

[mikesey1]

Hey thanks!

Yep, it looked very green, even though it was Autumn when the pics were taken at Sherborne castle. Nunney castle's images were taken in the Summertime, with a wonderful blue sky.

You can see all the pics taken of these castles in my Webshots photo albums, from the link on my profile page; there is a more detailed history of both castles too.

I chose the music carefully to represent a real 17th century battle.

Thanks. Mike.

[snoobybun]

Excellent video - love the music (eat your heart out, Draughtsman's Contract!). I must have visited nigh on 50 castles in England and Wales but so far neither of these so your virtual tour is a treat. You also come across as really knowing your stuff without being a show-off. I like to think I'm reasonably clued up on our history nevertheless it's nice to have an expert on hand!

[Snoopysunderground]

Cool!

[o4tom]

I'm sure Cromwell is looking up and smiling at you.

[bluereflektor]

SUPER! Exellent project! Nice images, nice arrangement with sound & video!

[miiawh]

many castles were sadly slighted during the English Civil War

[snoobybun]

A certain Mr Caucescu learned to his cost the folly of pushing a people too far... The only worry is that the supposedly democratically-chosen replacements may in time themselves be seduced by power and become just as bad... Hanging from lamp-posts is far too kind by the way - I would humbly suggest crucifixion. As you say, however, we appear to have become a nation without BALLS. Wouldn't it be NICE to raise a standard somewhere pretty with good pubs, say, Tewkesbury or Evesham...