Experience of Civilians

Experience of Civilians c.1500-1700

The Civil War meant civilians were exposed to war on an unprecedented level. Coupled with the increase in literacy and development of the printing press, civilians were also able to understand more about wars themselves.

Providing food and shelter

Requisitioning - civilians had their foodstuffs forcibly taken.
Billeting - civilians were expected to provide quarters (accommodation) for passing troops.
Payment was supposed to be made, but rarely arrived.

Looting

Extremely common in the Civil Wars.
Encouraged by poorly disciplined and paid troops.

Taxation

The government regularly increased taxes to fund the ‘exceptional’ demands of the wars.
Society became increasingly accepting of higher taxation by 1700.

Casualties

150 towns were attacked during the Civil Wars.
Sieges led to many deaths, through both outright attacks and the impact of disease in poor conditions.
Rape and murder of civilians was not uncommon.
3.6% of the total population died during the Civil Wars (by contrast, this is 2.6% in WWI and 0.6% in WWII).

Propaganda

William Caxton brought the printing press to England in 1471, making it possible to produce replica images and texts.
This enabled both Royalists and Parliamentarians to create propaganda, exaggerating acts of warfare and encouraging men to join the war.

1Medieval Warfare c.1250-1500

1.1Medieval Warfare & Society

1.1.1Weapons

1.1.2Composition

1.1.3Recruitment & Training

1.1.4Experience of Civilians

1.1.5Case Studies

1.1.6Change in Medieval Warfare

2Early Modern Warfare c.1500-1700

2.1Early Modern Warfare & Society

2.1.1Weapons

2.1.2Composition

2.1.3Recruitment & Training

2.1.4Experience of Civilians

2.1.5Case Studies

2.1.6Change in Early Modern Warfare

3Industrial Warfare c.1700-1900

3.1The Industrial Period & Warfare

3.1.1Weapons

3.1.2Composition

3.1.3Recruitment & Training

3.1.4Experience of Civilians

3.1.5Case Studies

3.1.6Change in Industrial Period Warfare

4Modern Warfare c.1900-present

4.1Modern Warfare & Society

4.1.1Weapons

4.1.2Composition

4.1.3Recruitment & Training

4.1.4Experience of Civilians

4.1.5Case Studies

4.1.6Change in Modern Warfare

5The Historic Environment

5.1London & the Second World War, 1939-45

5.1.1London: A Target

5.1.2Preparations for War

5.1.3The Blitz

5.1.4V1 & V2 Attacks

5.1.5Impact of the Blitz

5.1.6The War Effort

5.1.7The Government

5.1.8The Royal Family

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