The threat of a Dutch invasion, the fear of challenges to the restored monarchy by supporters of the Interregnum regimes, and defiant Quakers were among the problems Sir Anthony Oldfield of Spalding had to face as a deputy lieutenant of the Lincolnshire militia. In the first decade of the Restoration the county militias were responsible for the internal defence of the realm and became the most important institution of local government. Oldfield's letters show in illuminating detail how the militia in England's second largest county was raised, trained, financed and deployed. As well as...
The threat of a Dutch invasion, the fear of challenges to the restored monarchy by supporters of the Interregnum regimes, and defiant Quakers were amo...
