Set during the transformative 1670s in Restoration England, this first full-length study delves into a pivotal yet underexplored decade marked by experimentation, political turmoil, and societal strife. By examining the era's richness and complexity, the book challenges prevailing assumptions and highlights the significance of this period in shaping England's history.
The 17th century was a dynamic period characterized by huge political and social changes, including the Civil War, the execution of Charles I, the Commonwealth and the Restoration. This book looks at both the private aspects of human beliefs and practices and also institutional religion, investigating the growing competition between rival versions of Christianity and the growing expectation that individuals should be allowed to worship as they saw fit.
The Puritans of seventeenth century England have been blamed for everything from the English civil war to the rise of capitalism. But who were the Puritans of Stuart England? Were they apostles of liberty, who fled from persecution to the New World? Or were they intolerant fanatics, intent on bringing godliness to Stuart England? This study provides a clear narrative of the rise and fall of the Puritans across the troubled seventeenth century. Their story is placed in context by analytical chapters, which describe what the Puritans believed and how they organised their religious and social life. Quoting many contemporary sources, including diaries, plays and sermons, this is a vivid and comprehensible account, drawing on the most recent scholarship. Readers will find this book an indispensable guide, not only to the religious history of seventeenth century England, but also to its political and social history.
Exploring the 17th century's transformative political and social landscape, this book delves into the interplay between personal beliefs and institutional religion amidst significant events like the Civil War and the Restoration. It highlights the rise of competing Christian denominations and the emerging expectation for individual worship freedom, providing a nuanced understanding of how these dynamics shaped society during this tumultuous era.