The Civil War ended with the 'rebel' Army triumphant, a regicide republic, and eventually Oliver Cromwell as dictator. Within two years of his death the regime had broken up; chaos led to Charles II being invited back. What if Cromwell had lived longer, or his regime turned into a stabler monarchy? Or shrewd Charles II had not died suddenly in his mid-fifties, or his brother James had not alienated elites and been deposed?

In this collection of essays, Tim Venning explores all these questions and more.