Intellectual Origins of the English Revolution - Revisited - Hardcover

Hill, Christopher

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0198206682 ISBN 13: 9780198206682

Publisher: Clarendon Press, 1997

Synopsis

This is a revised edition of Christopher Hill's classic and ground-breaking examination of the motivations behind the English Revolution and Civil War, first published in 1965. In addition to the text of the original, Dr Hill provides thirteen new chapters which take account of other publications since the first edition, bringing his work up-to-date in a stimulating and enjoyable way.

This book poses the problem of how, after centuries of rule by King, lords, and bishops, when the thinking of all was dominated by the established church, English men and women found the courage to revolt against Charles I, abolish bishops, and execute the king in the name of his people. The far-reaching effects and the novelty of what was achieved should not be underestimated - the first legalized regicide, rather than an assassination; the formal establishment of some degree of religious toleration; Parliament taking effective control of finance and foreign policy on behalf of gentry and merchants, thus guaranteeing the finance necessary to make England the world's leading naval power; abolition of the Church's prerogative courts (confirming gentry control at a local level); and the abolition of feudal tenures, which made possible first the agricultural and then the industrial revolution. Christopher Hill examines the intellectual forces which helped to prepare minds for a revolution that was much more than the religious wars and revolts which had gone before, and which became the precedent for the great revolutionary upheavals of the future.

About this title

About the Author

Former Master of Balliol College, Oxford, Christopher Hill is an extremely well-known and respected historian. The original edition of this book has been a classic text for over twenty years.

From the Back Cover

This is a revised edition of Christopher Hill's classic and ground-breaking examination of the motivations behind the English Revolution and Civil War. This book poses the problem of how--after centuries of obedience to the rule of King, lords, and the established church--English men and women found the courage to revolt against Charles I, abolish bishops, and execute the king in the name of his people.

Edition details

• Publisher: Clarendon Press
• Publication date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0198206682
• ISBN 13: 9780198206682
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 438