Wikipedia is your friend "Roundhead" was the nickname given to the supporters of Parliament during the English Civil War. Also known as Parliamentarians, they were the supporters of Oliver Cromwell against King Charles I. [1] Cromwell rose to prominence as a Member of Parliament and Parliamentary soldier, and eventually established himself as Lord Protector in 1653. Roundhead political and religious factions included (but were not limited to) Presbyterians, classical republicans, Levellers, and Independents. The Roundheads' enemies, the Royalist supporters of King Charles I of England, were nicknamed Cavaliers. The Sealed Knot - Home Page
white working class thugs ...or thats how sky news would probably describe them today... hoodies sort of...
Royalist... and I still am Gentlemen of the Pike in Sir Richard Bagot's Regiment of Foote - mad, bad and purple clad!! Huzzah! Steve W.
Years ago I joined this lot, rather I paid my subs, went to one event, their Xmas banquet, didn't fancy it so never went again. Not my thing at all. >> Who We are
What's a Roundhead? I have to add that this designation was prompted by the other sides' heads being of a totally different shape. This book will give you a complete run down on British history.
In 1640, - Parliament. In 2009, - Good ol' Liz, nearly as good as her mum and hope she lives as long, preferably out-living her son. John.
white working class thugs ...or thats how sky news would probably describe them today... hoodies sort of... That would be a Redneck over here in the US....
Hmmm, Republicans rather? :loldevil: Well, could be, but definitely not democrats of the most liberal variety....
Back to 17th Century British history please, NOT modern US politics. Roger that. A most humble apology is offered.
Hmmm. Charles I - easily malliable (bad), believed in the devine right of kings (also bad), refused to make decisive strikes in the early days as it was - to paraphrase "his duty to protect his people" (honourable but ultimately stupid) - religiously tolerant Cromwell - decisive (good/bad depends on the decision), believed God was always with him, a religiously intollerant puritan who enforced universal Sunday worship and banned Christmas, smashed churches etc etc etc. Sided with the levellers and espoused the equality of man, but ended up almost crowning himself King (I guess some are more equal than others!) I'll be Royalist then and definately Royalist now!
As I come from the Fens I would change sides as necessary as my ancestors did to ensure their surivival; Im a royalist now of course having given an oath of alleigance when i joned up
Now some cretin in one of the Melbourne dailies today mentioned Britain having an unelected grandmother as the head of state. When I think of all the strife many of the worlds countries are getting into with their elected (or not) presidents I am sure that the path that Britain has trodden down the past few hundred years (or more) has been the correct one David
What's a Roundhead? A member or adherent of the Parliamentary party in the Civil War of the 17th century, so called from their custom of wearing the hair close cut. The name appears to have arisen towards the end of the year 1641: see Clarendon Hist. Reb. iv. §121. Rushworth Hist. Coll. (1692) iii. i. 463 attributes its origin to an officer named David Hide, who (app. on 27 Dec. of that year) threatened to ‘cut the Throat of those Round-headed Dogs that bawled against Bishops’. 1641 R. Brathwait Merc. Brit. iv, See‥how these notted and round heads with their prick eares doe listen and stare on their predicating Pinner. (source: the great 20 volume Oxford English Dictionary) Cavalier originally 'a gentleman trained to arms', from about 1600 came to mean a 'roistering swaggering fellow'. It was originally used by the Parliamentarians as a term of contempt for 'the swash-bucklers on the King's side, who hailed the prospect of war'. At iv 121 Clarendon, 27 December 1641:And from those contestations [i.e., the beating up of 'insolent' petitioners by Court officers in a cavalier (i.e., haughty) manner] the two terms of 'Roundhead' and 'Cavalier' grew to be received in discourse and were afterwards continued, for the most succinct distinction of affectation throughout the quarrel: they were looked upon as servants to the King being then called 'Cavaliers', and the other rabble contemned and despised under the names of 'Roundhead'.
I have no references to back this up, but I thought another reason for "Cavalier" came from the French "Chevalier" or horeseman... ie Cavalry Though both sides had cavalry and both sides had Lords and gentry on their side so this might be complete twoddle on my part ! (no change there, then!)
