The British Army: From the Civil War to the War on Terror, c. 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.

Please note that OUDCE reserves the right to alter course content and/or cancel field trips in accordance with government guidance.

Monday
We will start the course by looking at war, the roles of an army and the evolution of a standing army as one of the defining characteristics of the modern nation state. Then, in part 2, we will consider the birth of the British army from the nucleus of Cromwell’s New Model Army, its rejuvenation under Charles II and its ill-fated role during the Glorious Revolution - covering the period 1625-1685.

Tuesday
In part 1 we will look at the army’s maturity and subsequent decline during the Age of Marlborough in the 18th century 1685-1783. In part 2, we will examine the tumultuous period of the French Wars 1793-1815, during which Wellington’s Redcoats progressed to become one the finest and most respected fighting forces in the world. 

Wednesday
We will look in detail at Britain’s army in the19th Century.  The multifariousness of its tasks and its (sometimes controversial) role in building the British Empire – Sahib and Khaki, the colonial wars and Imperialism 1816-1902.

Thursday
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 part 2, we will look at the difficult inter-war years and the equally challenging readjustment back to a war footing under the arrogant, unlikeable, but ultimately successful Montgomery – 1919-1945.

Friday
In part 1 we will conduct an examination of the British army in modern wars from the challenges of the final colonial campaigns, to the controversial role in Northern Ireland and finally, the army’s crucial role in NATO and the Cold War from 1945-1990. In the final session we will look at the nation’s and army’s role in, and the asymmetric nature of, the War on Terror 1990-2016.

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, 2001.

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 (and refunds) are subject to exchange rates at the time of processing.

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

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 2021 – OUDCE will retain an administration fee of £100 per week booked; all other fees paid will be refunded.
• Cancellations received between 1-31 May 2021 – OUDCE will retain 60% of the fees paid; the remaining 40% of fees paid will be refunded.
• Cancellations received on and after 1 June 2021 - no refunds will be made.

Important note: You need to take out travel insurance to cover the programme fee and travel costs.

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.