SIMPLY CAPITAL

Oxford, Oxfordshire

t’s said that Oxford was spared from Nazi air raids because Hitler planned to make this elegant seat of learning England’s new capital. Oxford did in fact serve as a capital city during the English Civil War (1642–51), when King Charles I made the city his Royalist base for much of the conflict. The city, and especially its university, provided core Royalist support. The King resided in Christ Church; Parliament was held in Oxford; the Royal Mint moved to the city; weapons, gunpowder and the production of soldiers’ uniforms became bustling industries;