Hidden Histories - Episode 5a: An UnCivil War (pt 1)

An exploration of the first English Civil War through its impacts on the people of Leicester and Leicestershire. In this first part of the episode, we examine the causes of the war and how the rivalry between the Royalist Lord Loughborough, Henry Hastings and the Parliamentarian Lord Thomas Grey of Groby was to culminate in the devastating 1645 siege of Leicester.

[@markbryan6309]

Extremely well done. You guys do an excellent job of making the history of Leicester come to life. It should be compulsory viewing in schools :-) As someone who has always had a passion for history I salute you!

[@HiddenHistoriesofLeicester]

Thanks Mark! I’m giving a talk to a group of History teachers in a few weeks, so I’m hoping they’ll start using them to inspire an interest in local history with their pupils! 🤞🤞🤞 But feel free to share the videos far and wide too if you know people who’d like them! 😉👍🏻

[@paulabbott5881]

Brilliant Jim, You are very professional.. Your videos are so informative.. Keep em coming mate, well done 👍

[@carolineskipper6976]

Having been brought up in Leicester by history loving parents, and having covered the English Civil War in history lessons at school, I can't believe how lacking in knowledge about the Civil War in Leicester I am. Thank you for this detailed account!

[@TouchGloves705]

Jim if history had been taught like you teach it I would have enjoyed it at school! Good work again Yvonne 👋

[@marilynricci5564]

Another excellent episode. Thanks, Jim.

[@augustineriley5582]

Jim, once again, - a lot of information I was unaware of re Leicester's pivotal place in the English Civil War - Superb presentation! regards Gus

[@pamelabriggs3277]

Fantastic as always. It's surprising how they organised battles considering communication took so long by messengers on horseback. Really enjoying all of these moments in history. Thank you all involved in producing them.

[@georginasampson3073]

Brilliant once again. Can't wait for the next episode.

[@clairrussell6779]

Excellent. Really enjoyed that and learned lots. Thank you, looking forward to part 2.

[@keith13fox]

I've really enjoyed and been fascinated with all of your Hidden Histories of Leicester, so thank you so very much.
Coming from Queniborough i was aware of the Civil war from a early age, although I have no idea of why I sided on the parliamentary side, however when I grew up and studied the part Leicester played I have always been of the mind I chose wisely.. So without putting a spoiler on part 2 I will leave it at that 😊

[@martinchildsmusic9297]

Brilliant!

[@brencelionheart6837]

You should get a job on a TV program. I think you could present things like this well.

[@nealeford1964]

Really excellent stuff!

[@dantheartisan]

great bit of information! Thanks!

[@only1thatmakessense]

Thankyou for the information

[@thisisbob1001]

Good info

[@andrewmarch7891]

Brilliant thanks. So much has been missed by the education we received it was as if the civil war had nothing to teach us. Why I wonder did educationalists think so little of this un-civil war?

[@HiddenHistoriesofLeicester]

As a former teacher, my thoughts on this are as follows. Teachers, since 1991 have had to teach a curriculum prescribed to them by govt (this is a little looser now). With a curriculum dictated by politicians, it was easier for them to reinforce the image of a strong, powerful post WW2/Cold War Britain we were all brought up with by only focussing on the periods that didn’t challenge that narrative. The turmoil and moral ambiguity that surrounds the civil war flies in the face of that narrative and so the policy and curriculum makers avoided the topic (amongst others) in preference of more simplistic, palatable events/periods. Hence why the likes of you and me have these gaps in our education. Here’s hoping my little films can help to plug those gaps, at least a little. 🤞🙂