h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Interesting. So maybe we republicans *can* have our hero, after all.

One thing that I'm aware of, as a Scot of English Ethnic Origin is how little British history I was taught at school. We touched on The English Civil War, of course, but I was totally unaware of The War of the Covenant. I'm sure you'll know that it was the Covenanters who captured Charles I and handed him over to the English parliament, having negotiated their own terms.

How did I first learn of the Covenanters? I saw a box of 'Covenanter's Assortment' chocolates - surreal but true.

No republican, an evil military dictator who was succeeded by his son on his death.

I should point out that this was one of those occasions for which I wish there was a smiley.

No - Cromwell's not the role model that we republicans would wish for. HOWEVER - I think that from the previous discussion me might conclude that the position is rather more nuanced. In terms of btutality, he was a man of his time. And while the patriarchal succession was dubious, I don't think the idea that he was a dicator is quite sustainable. The parliamentary situation was more complex than that.

Some people argue for a 'slimmed down, Scandinavian-style monarchy'. Myself...I'm more in favour of a *Russian*-style monrachy.

hmmm... parliament suspended, the country run by the army through a system of military governors, his son inherits both title and position - yes, the " smiley" is indeed warranted (I normally use when trying to be ironic)

NB: my credentials for this period can be found on
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