New Civil War directory launched
The names of officers who led the Parliamentarian forces in the English Civil War are available to search online for the first time.
The Cromwell Association Online Directory of Parliamentary Army Officers, which launched on 17 May, fulfills a project which began in 1999 to mark the 400th anniversary of Oliver Cromwell’s birth.
The database is available for free via British History Online and lists over 4,000 English and Welsh officers who fought for the Parliament, primarily in the 1642-1646 phase of the conflict.
It includes information from army lists and accounts held in the National Archives, such as the officers’ rank, dates of birth and death and in some cases details of their service.
Dr Stephen Roberts, vice president of the Cromwell Association, told Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine: “This is the first single online listing of Parliamentarian officers.”
He added that he hoped users would send in information to help update and edit the directory.
“We don’t see it as finished once and for all,” Dr Roberts said. “Hopefully because of its online format, it’s capable of being revised and developed.”
To view the collection, go to british-history.ac.uk/no-series/ cromwell-army-officers.