Cromwell's Classroom: The Early History of Huntingdon Grammar School
Sat 9 May
Cromwell Museum
Wed 3 June · Cambridge
Wednesday, 3 June 2026 · 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Artillery trains are a neglected aspect of Civil War military history; despite the rich archival legacy they have left behind. Some historians have dismissed them as having little impact in battle, while conceding their utility in siege warfare. Based on his new book, The Trayne of Artillery 1642–1646, in this talk Simon Marsh will challenge this perception and to ensure that the importance of ordnance trains to Civil War armies is more widely recognised. Simon Marsh is a freelance researcher specialising in early modern military history, particularly the British Civil Wars (1637-1660). He has written several books, including Battle for London (Amberley, 2010) with Dr Stephen Porter which examines the battles at Brentford and Turnham Green. His current research focuses on Civil War trains of artillery and logistics. He is an active member of the Battlefields Trust, serving as joint Chair of its Mercia Region and Research Coordinator. He retired from the Civil Service in 2021 and lives in Buckinghamshire. This talk will be recorded and put on a private channel after the 'live talk' for ticket holders to view at their leisure if they miss the live talk or wish to view them again. This talk is part of a four part lecture series; for season tickets please click here. PLEASE NOTE: These talks will be held online via Zoom. Joining details will be sent 48 hours before the talk.