By the Sword Divided (1983– )

Story of the English Civil War as seen through the eyes of two families; the Laceys, loyal to King Charles I, and the Fletchers, loyal to Oliver Cromwell.

Creator:

John Hawkesworth

Stars:

Sharon Maughan, Andrew MacLachlan, Tim Bentinck

Cast

Series cast summary:
Sharon Maughan	...	Anne Lacey Fletcher (19 episodes, 1983-1985)
Andrew MacLachlan	...	Nathaniel Cropper (18 episodes, 1983-1985)
Tim Bentinck	...	Tom Lacey (17 episodes, 1983-1985)
Lucy Aston	...	Lady Lucinda Ferrar (17 episodes, 1983-1985)
Rob Edwards	...	John Fletcher (17 episodes, 1983-1985)
Eileen Way	...	Minty (16 episodes, 1983-1985)
Rosalie Crutchley	...	Goodwife Margaret (15 episodes, 1983-1985)
Johanna Myers	...	Hannah Jackman (15 episodes, 1983-1985)
Janet Lees-Price	...	Emma Bowen (15 episodes, 1983-1985)
Claire Davenport	...	Mrs. Dumfry (15 episodes, 1983-1985)
Peter Guinness	...	Dick Skinner (14 episodes, 1983-1985)
Edward Peel	...	Walter Jackman (14 episodes, 1983-1985)
Simon Butteriss	...	Hugh Brandon (14 episodes, 1983-1985)
Judy Buxton	...	Susan Protheroe (12 episodes, 1983-1985)
Debbie Goodman	...	Rachel (12 episodes, 1983-1985)
Bert Parnaby	...	Sir Austin Fletcher (11 episodes, 1983-1985)
Simon Dutton	...	Will Saltmarsh (10 episodes, 1983)
Julian Glover	...	Sir Martin Lacey (9 episodes, 1983)

Storyline

Story of the English Civil War as seen through the eyes of two families; the Laceys, loyal to King Charles I, and the Fletchers, loyal to Oliver Cromwell.

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Plot Keywords:

civil war

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Genres:

Drama | History | War

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Details

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 October 1983 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Lilford Hall, Lilford, Oundle, Northamptonshire, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Technical Specs

Runtime:

50 min 50 min (20 episodes)

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Very good

I first saw this on Masterpiece Theater back in 1986. I think it was a repeat. It'd about two families. The Laceys, who are Royalists, (people loyal to King Charles I,) and the Fletchers, who are Roundheads, (people loyal to Oliver Cromwell, and by extension, Parliament.) Very good. The Laceys are Royalists, (Cavaliers,) who support the English monarchy, and King Charles I.

Charles I, who as everyone knows, or should know, was England's first absolute monarch since King John, prior to the signing of the Magna Carta, at Runnymede in 1215. The Fletchers, Roundheads, (Parliamentarians,) are upset with King Charles because he repeatedly dismissed Parliament. The Parliament that rebelled against Charles I was known as the Rump Parliament, part of the Long Parliament, which refused to be dismissed, until Oliver Cromwell became the Lord Protector of the English Commonwealth, which lasted until his death in 1659. and the Restoration of King Charles II.