Using the latest archaeological evidence, this book looks at a little known aspect of the English Civil War. The title puts it in a nutshell.

It opens with the historical context of the new royal dynasty, the Stuarts, who followed when the Tudor line died with the childless Elizabeth. It explains in clear terms how the personality and decisions of the tolerant King Charles I led up to the war and the role Oliver Cromwell played in it. By the third chapter the narrative has reached the third section of the civil war and the battles between England and Scotland, notably the battle at Dunbar in 1650. By this point the English king Charles has been executed and Cromwell is leading the country politically and militarily.

The battle is described in great detail from the strategic and military aspect with references to the War of the Roses, the First and Second World Wars and Vietnam as comparisons, complete with quotes from documents. These comments certainly put a humanitarian reminder beside the cold facts and figures and makes the retelling more exciting. However, some from the twentieth century don't sit quite right and the 'this is how it must have felt for the men then' type of remark removes some of the authenticity. The concept of war crimes didn't exist then.

The Scottish campaign was important to Cromwell as he believed that the Scots were 'planning to invade England to restore the Stuart monarchy'. It would be better, he argued, to have the fighting take place on Scottish soil rather than English. Evidence of the behaviour of Cromwell's army is taken from the records of compensation claims documented at the time, for loss of life of husbands and sons, for damage to property, land and so on, all meticulously recorded. These records also show that most of the soldiers who fought at Dunbar were mainly young men without any military experience.

The 'death march' was the defeated Scots, taken as prisoners, and forced to go to from the battlefield to Durham initially in the first stage to be then taken to the southern ports to be sent abroad as slaves. The prisoners included the soldiers as well as the army follower who were made up of women and children, musicians, medics and other tradesmen. Most succumbed to disease and injury, starvation or were brutalised along the way. Here the records are scant or no-existent. But the journey through the landscape, step by step, still survives.

This is a detailed and well researched book, with appropriate references to evidence, photographs and maps. It concludes by tracing the descendants of some of the prisoners. Perfect for historians or anyone interested in this period, Cromwell. Scottish or military history. Recommended.

Following Oliver Cromwell's victory on 3 September 1650 at the Battle of Dunbar, 5,000 prisoners began a forced march to Durham. The journey took seven days and prisoners were treated appallingly. With no food, drink ory medical treatment provided many died en route. On arrival,  Durham didn't provide much relief and many died,  up to 1,700 from illness.

This book details the journey and for the survivors the further punishment of hard labour or exile to the new world where they were treated as close to slaves. The stories and details are heartbreaking and it's difficult to understand how this treatment was justified.

Although I enjoyed learning more about this I found it a very sad piece of history. The conditions on the march from Dunbar are unimaginable even though the book provides incredible details from their extensive research.

It's a very well written book but just be prepared to get upset

This is a fascinating account of the Battle of Dunbar and the aftermath, which resulted in 5,000 prisoners of war being marched to Durham. This book gives you the historical background, before looking at the actual battle and then recounting the forced march.

There have been archaeological excavations in Durham, where some of the victims of the march have been found and identified. This is a shocking account of the aftermath of war and of the terrible way the prisoners were treated – not only on the march (where so many died on the way to Durham) but afterwards. Undoubtedly, they were viewed as financial spoils of war, with many transported to America or the West Indies.

The style of writing is a little dry and academic, but the account is well told and researched. This is a period of history I knew little about and I am glad I read this. I received a copy of the book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.

Well researched and informative read. War is brought on because of religion and politics with people being punished just because they are on the losing (or wrong) side. The atrocities that were brought upon these people are just a beginning to this book. The authors take the time to research and show how power and corruption have a devastating effect on a population and the consequences that follow.

Thank you NetGalley and Pen and Sword Books for this advanced reader edition and hearing my honest review. Looking forward to reading more with you
#partners

‘The dead may not be able to talk, but science can give them a voice and help us to understand more about their lives.’

The Battle of Dunbar occurred on the 3rd of September 1650 between the English Parliamentarian forces, led by Oliver Cromwell and the Scottish Covenanters led by David Leslie. It was one of the major battles of the Third English Civil War (1649-1651) and was a decisive (albeit unlikely) victory for Cromwell. So, what happened next? In my previous reading about the English Civil War, I’ve focussed on the political consequences, the occupation of Scotland, the rise of Cromwell and then the Restoration. This book deals with the Battle of Dunbar and its dreadful aftermath.

Following the battle, Cromwell marched on Edinburgh. After he captured the capital (following the defeat of the castle), prisoners were force-marched towards England. They were force-marched to prevent any attempt at rescue and were imprisoned in Durham Cathedral.

Reportedly, there were 6,000 prisoners. Five thousand were marched south, without food, adequate water or medical attention. Of those who survived the seven-day march to reach Durham, as many as 1,700 died from typhus or dysentery. Most of the rest were condemned to hard labour and exile in the new world across the Atlantic Ocean.

While this book describes the Battle of Dunbar, its primary focus is on what followed. Mr Sadler and Ms Serdiville retraced the route taken by the prisoners on this march and describe recent archaeological excavations in Durham, uncovering some of the victims. There are also the stories of some of those transported to the colonies in America and the West Indies.

This is a dark period of British history about which I knew little. It’s easy, almost 400 hundred years later and half a world away, to focus on actions, events, facts and consequences, on the politics and rulers. This book takes us into the details of one particular part of the Third English Civil War and reminds us of the human cost.

Recommended reading for anyone interested in 17th century British history.

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Pen and Sword Military for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

Cromwells's Convicts gives us a thorough look in a terrible time in history. History always seems to repeat itself in some form, because man never seems to learn from its past. This book is researched well and written well.

An interesting look at a specific moment in English history. Good for those who have an interest in Scottish history or Cromwell himself. If wanting to know more of the civil war that brought Cromwell and these men together, this is a great start.

Received this through Net Galley! This took you through a terrible time when war,religion was a battle! This gives you the story of what these people had to endure as prisoners,how they were treated. The history was well researched and I learned so many new things about this man! It is well written where you dont lose interest in the book and the story. Different places different battles I had never heard of and I wanted to read about his life. If you want to know more about this man and his life read this book!The maps helped so much! What these men had to go through just to even survive! Very good read and was easy to follow the story.🙉🙈🙊

As someone who is familiar with East Lothian and the Scottish Boarders I was aware of the various battles that had taken place there including the Battle of Dunbar in 1650 which cemented Cromwell's ascendancy to absolute power. What I was not aware until reading this thoroughly absorbing book was the terrible aftermath that awaited those who were taken prisoner. Without food and with inadequate water a sum estimated at 5,000 were brutally forced marched all the way to Durham. Here those who managed to survive due to their poor health were now at the mercy from typhus and dysentery with as many as 1,700 dying in appalling inhuman conditions.

This is the prisoners previously untold story. The book firstly places the Battle of Dunbar into the complex story of the War of the Three Kingdoms with its ever changing sides and social, political and religious dimensions. The battle is then examined followed by the retracing of the route taken by the prisoners and what they encountered on the way. It concludes with the stories of those who were transported to the American and West Indian colonies with accounts of research undertaken by surviving relatives. There is a photo section and use is made of contemporaneous material together with the findings of recent archaeological excavations made in Durham.

This can be easily read over the course of 1 or 2 days but its brevity should not detract from the amount of information that is contained here. To give the book some added relevance to the general reader there are accounts of more recent events from history. If you are interested in discovering about a dark episode in British history then this book is for you.

Informative, fascinating, realistic, historical.

This was such a fascinating read about bones found recently during construction of a cafe. These bones are of prisoners of war sold off as a piece of property and disregard.

The book is detailed about the sacrifices of war along with other people and decisions during that time in 1650.

The photographs add an important detail making this historical novel a gem to own.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this delightful Kindle eread time trip into history.

First thank you to NetGalley and Pen and Sword Books for granting my wish and providing me an e-ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion of this book.

What an incredible read. This is the fascinating true story of a forced march of 5,000 prisoners from the battlefield to Durham. These prisoners took a march, which lasted 7 days, without food, very little water and absolutely no medical treatment. Needless to say, most died along the way.

The author does a wonderful job of researching and retelling their story that you will be disappointed again in humanity and celebrate that only recently were they given the honor and attention they deserved. The maps and the photos add to the wonderfulness of this book.

A must read!