The Civil War Gallery

The Civil War Gallery explores how disagreements over power, politics, and religion led to a fight between Parliament and King Charles I, ending with the King’s trial and execution.

The gallery features original items including swords, helmets, and everyday objects, helping visitors understand what life was like for both soldiers and ordinary people during this troubled time.

Here are a few highlights you can expect to see in the gallery. You can listen to an explanation from our experts for each piece on the Bloomberg Connects app under "Gallery Displays".

Flags and standards in The Civil War Gallery

Flags and standards

This range of flags and standards used during the Civil Wars includes a copy of King Charles I’s Royal Standard. The King raised it in Nottingham on 22 August 1642 as the official start of the British Civil Wars. The Standard was a powerful symbol, showing the King’s call to fight against Parliament and his belief in his right to rule.

Nearby, you can see other replica flags used by different army groups during the war. Each one represented a specific regiment and helped soldiers stay together. Capturing an enemy flag was a great achievement.

An 16th century wooden chair owned by Sir Thomas Fairfax.

Fairfax's wheelchair

This wheelchair belonged to Sir Thomas Fairfax (1612 to 1671), the leader of Parliament’s New Model Army. He was badly injured in battle several times, including cuts to his face and gunshot wounds to his wrist and shoulder. 

By the late 1650s, his health had worsened, and he had swelling and stiffness in his joints. He began using this wheelchair in 1664. Even though he was physically weak, he still had a powerful presence. His cousin Brian described him sitting in the chair 'like an old Roman', showing how much people admired him.

Siege pieces that say Newark 1645.

Siege pieces

During the last siege of Newark, the town was cut off and running out of coins. To make sure he could pay the soldiers and keep trade going, the Governor of the town set up a mint in Newark Castle to make special coins called ‘siege pieces’. Made of silver, they came in different values, with their markings and weight showing how much they were worth.

Unlike regular coins, siege pieces weren’t perfectly round. There was a shortage of silver, so pieces were cut into shapes that fit together like a puzzle, so hardly any metal was wasted. The coins often ended up with rough or uneven edges, because there wasn’t the time or proper tools to make them neatly.

A sword handle from the 17th century.

Ferrara's sword

Andrea Ferrara, or similar variations, is a name frequently found on English and particularly Scottish blades of the 17th century. Sir Walter Scott noted that the name of Andrea de Ferrara was inscribed 'on all the Scottish broadswords that are an account of peculiar excellence'.

The origins of this celebrated sword smith are elusive. The method of manufacture also remains a mystery, but it is thought that the blades are made by inter-lamination, a process of welding them in alternate layers of iron and steel.

The Civil War Gallery cinema

This cinema space can be found at the back of the Civil War Gallery. The films are played automatically at regular intervals, providing opportunities for visitors to engage with history in exciting and immersive ways. 

The stories are brought to life by professional actors, musical scores, sound effects, and special effects. They help to highlight the human impact of the wars.

You can find videos and transcripts for each film on the Bloomberg Connects app.

A group of people watching a large screen showing an historical event.
A gallery that include historial items including a bike, clock and clothes.

The Newark Gallery

This gallery explores Newark's fascinating past, from Ice Age traveller to the Romans, Vikings and Anglo-Saxons.

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A gallery room showing red and black wallpaper that depicts information on historial conflict and creativity.

The Conflict and Creativity Gallery

The Conflict Gallery shows the damage and unrest caused by the war, while the Creativity Gallery explores how the 1600s saw major changes in religion, science, culture, and politics.

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