Britain and Her Army 1644-2014

Seminars meet each weekday morning, with afternoons free for course-related field trips, individual study, or exploring the many places of interest in and around the city.

Monday
We will look at the meaning of War, and the creation of Standing Armies as one of the defining characteristics of the modern nation state. Then we will consider the birth of the British army from the nucleus of Cromwell’s New Model Army covering the period 1625-1685, and their subsequent maturity and decline during the Age of Marlborough in the 18th century 1685-1783.

Tuesday
This session covers the tumultuous period of the French Wars 1793-1815, during which Wellington’s Redcoats progressed to become one the finest forces in the world.  In part two we will look at Britain’s army in the nation’s 19th-century (controversial) heyday – Sahib and Khaki, the colonial wars and Imperialism 1816-1902.

Wednesday
We will study the Great War, Haig and Tommy 1902-1919 and consider the validity of Alan Clarke’s assertion that lions were led by donkeys. Then in the second part, we will look at the difficult inter-war years and the equally challenging readjustment back to a war footing in order to fight the Second World War (1919-1945) under the capable but controversial Montgomery.

Thursday
Field trip to the Royal Chelsea Hospital and the National Army Museum.

Friday
An examination of the British army in modern wars from the pains of the last of the colonial campaigns, to the emotive and trying role in Northern Ireland and finally, the army’s role in NATO and the Cold War from 1949-1990. In the final session we will look at the nation’s role and the army’s execution in, and the asymmetric nature of, the War on Terror 1990-2016.

Field trip
Destination: Chelsea Royal Hospital and the National Army Museum
Websites: www.chelsea-pensioners.co.uk and www.nam.ac.uk
Excursion rating: Moderate - up to two hours' walk on even ground or up to an hour's walk on rough and/or steep ground or up lots of stairs and steps.

Barnett, Correlli. Britain and Her Army, A Military, Political and Social History of the British Army 1509-1970. Cassell, 1970.

Holmes, Richard. Soldiers, Army Lives and Loyalties from Redcoat to Dusty Warriors. Harper & Collins, 2011.

Mallinson, Alan. The Making of the British Army, From the English Civil War to the War of Terror. Bantam Press, 2009.

All fees are charged on a per week, per person basis.

Please be aware that all payments made via non-UK credit/debit cards and bank accounts are subject to the exchange rate on the day they are processed.

Payment terms

• If enrolling online: full payment by credit/debit card at the time of booking.
• If submitting an application form: full payment online by credit/debit card or via bank transfer within 30 days of invoice date.

Cancellations and refunds

1. Cancellation by you

Participants who wish to cancel must inform the Programme Administrator in writing: by email to oxfordexperience@conted.ox.ac.uk, or by post to The Oxford Experience, OUDCE, 1 Wellington Square, OXFORD, OX1 2JA, UK.

The following cancellation and refund policy applies in all cases:

• Cancellation within 14 days of online enrolment / payment of fees – full refund of all fees paid.

• Cancellations received up to and including 30 April 2022 – OUDCE will retain an administration fee of £100 per week booked; all other fees paid will be refunded.
• Cancellations received between 1-31 May 2022 – OUDCE will retain 60% of the fees paid; the remaining 40% of fees paid will be refunded.
• Cancellations received on and after 1 June 2022 - no refunds will be made.

Where course fees have been paid in currencies other than pounds sterling, refunds will be subject to the exchange rate on the day they are processed.

2. Cancellation by us

OUDCE reserves the right to cancel a course where there is good reason, for example, if exceptionally low enrolment would make it educationally unviable. In these cases we will refund the course fees that you have already paid. If we cancel a course, our liability is limited to the fees that we have received from you; this means that we will not compensate you for any pre-booked travel costs or any other expenses incurred.

Where course fees have been paid in currencies other than pounds sterling, refunds will be subject to the exchange rate on the day they are processed.

The status of this course will be reviewed on 1 May 2022. If it is likely that the course may be cancelled, all those affected will be notified by email within 7 days; if you have not heard from OUDCE by 8 May 2022, you should assume that your course will be running. You may wish to delay finalising your travel arrangements until after this date.

3. Travel insurance

You need to purchase travel insurance to cover the programme fee, travel costs, and any other expenses incurred.

Participants will be taught in seminar groups of up to 12 people. Elements of this teaching will normally include mini lectures and presentations by tutors and tutor-led class discussions.

There are no assessments for this course.

The Oxford Experience is aimed at non-specialists: no prior knowledge is required, and classes are pitched at an introductory level. The courses are designed for an international audience aged 18 and over.