The formation of the New Model Army placed a significant burden on every taxpayer in England at a time when wartime devastation, disruption of trade and a series of poor harvests was already causing hardship across Britain.
According to the Army’s detractors, the country could simply not afford to pay a cost equivalent to over 32 billion pounds annually in today’s money.
So how did the State fund such an enormous amount and what were the economic and social consequences of this for people throughout the period?
Distinguished historian and author, Dr David J. Appleby answers these questions in a discussion with publisher, Mike Gibbs.
