There are many web sites of interest to students of the 17th century and the English Civil War period. Here are just a few of them. Click in the blue headings to access the websites.
The British Civil War Memorial Database
This database provides information about monuments, including memorials, plaques and information boards, located across the British Isles which relate to events concerning and key figures associated with the British Civil Wars 1639-1660. It also covers monuments located anywhere in the world relating to soldiers who served in the British Isles between 1639-1660. The John Hampden Society is one of the organisations that has sponsored the creation of this website.
The British Civil War Project
A great resource for anyone researching the period 1640 – 1660.
The English Civil War Society
One of the two main Civil War re-enactment societies in Britain – the other being The Sealed Knot. The ECWS is organised into two bodies – The King’s Army and The Roundhead Association and, as well as fighting battles, the members take part in Living History events. The ECWS and the John Hampden Society are affiliated.
Col. John Hampden’s Regiment
One of the English Civil War Society’s leading Parliamentary regiments – Hampden’s Greencoats. A number of their members, including their Commanding Officer, are also members of the John Hampden Society. On 22 June 1997 the Regiment made a splendid sight when they marched through Thame at the head of a parade of several hundred troops, with drums beating and colours flying, and they repeated this march in June 2000.
The Cromwell Association
The charity devoted to John Hampden’s cousin, who rose from being a humble country squire to Lord Protector of England, Scotland and Ireland. This site was launched in 1999 to mark the 400th anniversary of Cromwell’s birth. It is maintained jointly by the Cromwell Association and the Cromwell Museum, Huntingdon.
The Battlefields Trust
An organisation dedicated to the preservation, interpretation and presentation of battlefield sites as educational and heritage resources. Former Trustees include our President, Dr John Adair, and one of our vice-presidents, Professor Ian Beckett.
Brentford and Turnham Green Battlefield Trails
In 2006 the John Hampden Society co-operated with the Battlefields Trust and two local councils to help set up descriptive panels and lay out walks to mark the battles of Brentford and Turnham Green, in which John Hampden and his regiment were involved.
The Pike and Shot Society
Founded in 1973, the Pike and Shot Society is an international organization that promotes interest in the warfare of the Early Modern Period, a time that saw radical change in the way in which wars were fought world-wide. Its main activity is the publication of its highly respected bi-monthly journal Arquebusier as well as specialist books, monographs and booklets.
The British Association for Local History
The national charity which promotes local history and serves local historians. The JHS is a member of the BALH.
Thame Museum
Three artefacts owned by the JHS are on display in the Museum; a lock of hair reputedly that of John Hampden, a contemporary tobacco pot made of lead found on the Chalgrove battlefield and a profile plaster bust of John Hampden (a copy of the marble original on the John Hampden monument at Chalgrove). Also on display is a mannequin dressed as a member of John Hampden’s regiment, the Buckinghamshire Green Coats.
Other links:
Thame, Oxfordshire
A very comprehensive website of the town where John Hampden went to school and where he returned to die. The new Thame Museum contains a section on John Hampden.
Grampound, Cornwall
Another first-class site about the town which was John Hampden’s first constituency. The Society unveiled a plaque there to mark the fact in 2001.
Hampden, Maine USA
One of the dozen or so towns around the world named after The Patriot. Members of the Society were guests of the townsfolk in August 1994.
Hampden Historical Society
The Hampden Historical Society of Maine USA is affiliated to The John Hampden Society, has a Facebook page here.
Hampden House
John Hampden’s ancestral home, now owned by a group specialising in support services for the insurance industry, but licenced for weddings.
Hampden-Sydney College
One of America top colleges, situated in Virginia and named after John Hampden and Algernon Sydney (1622-1683). Sydney was a republican political theorist who was executed on an unproven implication in the Rye House Plot, an attempt to overthrow Charles II.
Lord Williams’s School
The modern successor to the Elizabethan grammar school in Thame which John Hampden attended.
John Hampden Grammar School
High Wycombe’s leading school, and one of the few named after the Patriot.
The National Archives
The repository of most of Britain’s historical records; many of which can be accessed online.
The Bodleian Library
Based in the university city of Oxford, and one of Britain’s top sources of reference, much of which can also be accessed online.
Buckinghamshire Genealogical Society
A first-class source of reference for family history in John Hampden’s county.
Bucks Family History Society
Another first-class source of reference for family history in John Hampden’s county
John and Frances West Family Group
A website of the collateral descendants of a 17th century gentleman who became a City of London Alderman and a Governor of Christ’s Hospital. There are connections with the Hampden family.
The Spread Eagle Hotel, Thame
Thame’s leading hotel, and formerly the venue of the John Hampden Society’s Annual Dinner every June.
Voice of the Shuttle: History Page
An enormous source of history references from the University of California.
Paul Meekins – Military & History Books , Caliver Books
Two booksellers specialising in historical books. Caliver are also the owners of Partizan Press, a rich source of unusual pamphlets on 17th century life.
These links are checked regularly, but if you find that any do not work, please e-mail the Society.