Page 98 - History of War - Issue 30-16

ARTE ACT
of

Right: Charles
I. The failure
of his armies
to defeat
England’s
Parliament
contributed to
his downfall
and ultimate
execution

MITT

This unusual relic of
Left: This mitt is on display at
the mid-17th century the National Civil War Centre
in Newark, which is open
is a shocking reminder daily from 10am-5pm. For
more information visit: www.
of Britain’s most nationalcivilwarcentre.com
divisive struggle

he British Civil Wars (1639-51) were
among the most devastating conlicts
in the history of the British Isles.
During this time a greater proportion
T of the population at the time was
lost than in WWI, with casualties being incurred
through battle, disease and atrocities against
civilians. Families, communities and regions
were torn apart by the bitter struggle between
King Charles I and the English Parliament; many
men served in their respective forces either by
volunteering or conscription.
Because of the horrendous nature of the wars,
desertion was rife on both sides but it was a
particular headache for Charles’s Royalist armies
whose declining fortunes against Parliament
were matched by an inability to pay its soldiers
properly. Pay was often two years in arrears and
consequently whole regiments would sometimes
desert, which severely hampered Charles’s war
effort. Wages were not the only reasons for
desertion, however, and soldiers were frequently
known to change sides or were simply war-weary.
The punishment for leaving the King’s army was
severe and if caught, Royalist deserters faced
a painful humiliation. This mitt, for instance, is
full of sharp metal spikes and was used to brand
those caught. The appliance would be heated to
a high temperature and then clamped onto the
palm of the unfortunate victim who would then be
branded with the letters ‘C R’ (‘Charles Rex’) and
a picture of a crown. It was a brutal, but ultimately Image: National Civil War Centre
futile method of maintaining discipline, as the
Royalists failed in their campaigns in England,
as well as in Scotland and Ireland. The monarchy
was abolished, albeit temporarily, in 1649, when
Charles was executed by Parliament for treason.

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