Civil War in Sussex

Talk by Chris Hare.

The English Civil War played out in Sussex and Hampshire in a series of battles, skirmishes and sieges.

East Sussex was a bastion of support for parliament. It was also a stronghold of puritanism. West Sussex found itself increasingly squeezed by Royalist incursions and uprisings. Arundel, for instance was attacked and counter-attacked on three occasions in one year. Every time the Royalists advanced they were held back by East Sussex militias. This talk will also feature the personalities of the day, particularly Colonel Herbert Morley of Glynde, the captain of the Lewes Trained Bands. We will learn about the two competing generals, Sir Ralph Hopton and Sir William Waller: friends in their youth, they were divided by civil war. The talk will also consider the Club Men rebellion of 1645.