An epic 12-part drama about the events leading up to, and following, the execution of King Charles I

England, 1647. Oliver Cromwell's New Model Army has routed the Royalists, and the king, having fled to Scotland, has been ransomed, sent back across the border and imprisoned. It seems the war is over, but there is trouble ahead. Parliament wants to disband the army and install its own militia—an act that looks, to Cromwell's loyal soldiers, like outright betrayal.

As dissent grows within the ranks, agitators such as Francis White and John Reynolds, and leading Leveller John Lilburne, step up to speak for the common man. What began with a dispute over army demobilisation soon becomes far more, and a radical faction arises demanding freedom, equality and power to the people. But for Cromwell and his commander in chief, Thomas Fairfax, this is a challenge to Parliament's authority and smacks of revolution. Facing a schism within the army, Cromwell is torn—but when the king escapes from custody, he and his troops have a new threat to deal with....

Meanwhile, the women at home have troubles of their own. Clever, independent Penelope White is subject to the whims of her intransigent father, who wants her to marry a man of his choosing. And Lilburne's wife, Elizabeth, must risk her life each time she smuggles forbidden political papers into his cell in the Tower of London. As their men prepare to fight once more, what does the future hold for them?

Set between the pivotal years of 1647 and 1649, this classic civil war drama stars Bernard Hepton as Cromwell, Nigel Anthony as Fairfax, Graham Blockey as Francis White, Christian Rodska as Lilburne, William Eedle as Charles I, Deborah Makepeace as Penelope and Maureen O'Brien as Elizabeth.

Cast and credits

Written by Don Taylor

God's Revolution

Lord General Fairfax - Nigel Anthony

John Church—Eric Allan

Francis White—Graham Blockey

Charles I/Lieut. Colonel Jackson/Cornet Denne—William Eedle

Oliver Cromwell—Bernard Hepton

Stephen White—David March

John Reynolds—Kim Wall

John Lilburne—Christian Rodska

James Thompson—Simon Cuff

Miles Sindercombe/Col. Rainsborough/Sir William Waller/Morrison—John Baddeley

Corporal Perkins/Silent soldier/Simeon/Joseph/Winstanley/Brother Gerard—Steve Hodson

Colonel James/Lockyer/Major General Skippon/Huntingdon—Peter Craze

Edmund White/Major Gooday/Col. Scroop—Cornelius Garrett

Penelope White—Deborah Makepeace

Elizabeth Lilburne—Maureen O'Brien

William Thompson/Captain Musket—Anthony Jackson

Commissary Ireton—Bill Wallis

Edward Sexby/Col. Whalley—John Hartoch

Lady Anne Fairfax—Lin Sagovsky

Cornet Joyce/Everard—Jonathan Nibbs

Betty—Zelah Clarke

Mrs Cromwell/Martha—June Barrie

John Lilburne—Christian Rodska

Beggar woman—June Tobin

John Wildman—Stephen Rashbrook

Robin—Elizabeth Lindsay

Isaac—Christopher Asante

Capt. Hatton—Alan Coveney

Pride—Norman Eshley

Mary Overton—Barbara Kellermann

Mrs Chidley—Ellen Dryden

Barry—Paul Sirr

Directed by Shaun MacLoughlin and Ronald Mason

Psalms arranged by Blaise Compton

First broadcast BBC Radio 4, 7th October-23rd December 1988