When I was a child, one of my favourite books was Children of the New Forest by Frederick Marryat. I must confess that from the age of eight I was firmly on the side of the dashing Cavaliers and Charles 1; and in many respects, I still am to this day!
So, whilst I am preparing an account of why he came to such a sticky end, and extolling the virtues of Oliver Cromwell, you might enjoy this poem by one of the “Cavalier Poets”, Richard Lovelace, set to music by Fairport Convention.
To Althea, From Prison
Richard Lovelace 1642
When love with unconfined wings
Hovers within my gates;
And my divine ALTHEA brings
To whisper at the grates;
When I lye tangled in her haire,
And fetterd to her eye,
The birds, that wanton in the aire,
Know no such liberty.
Boadicea's Chariot 