The Causes of the English Civil War (Ford Lectures): The Ford Lectures Delivered in the University of Oxford 1987-1988 - Softcover

Russell, Conrad

Softcover

ISBN 10: 019822141X ISBN 13: 9780198221418

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA, 1990

Synopsis

What were the causes of the English Civil War? The traditional explanations involving the struggle for sovereignty and the bourgeois revolution have been questioned in recent years. In this study, Conrad Russell offers a compelling new analysis, bringing into focus fundamental religious and constitutional issues of vital importance to contemporaries but neglected by historians. Drawing heavily on research in printed and unpublished sources, Russell highlights the constitutional problem of multiple kingdoms within Britain; the religious problem of competing theologies within and outside a state church; and the economic problem of the inadequacy of royal revenue to meet the needs of the monarchy. The most in-depth account to date of the origins of one of the most significant events in British history, this will be essential reading for all students of the seventeenth century.

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Review

`The best work to have appeared on the subject in the last century' Dr J S A Adamson, Peterhouse, Cambridge

`Splendid, literate and original treatment.' M Zell, Senior Lecturer, Thames Polytechnic

`This is an excellent book which raises fundamental questions for an understanding of the outbreak of the civil war. All students will be required to read all or significant parts of it' Dr D M Dean, Goldsmiths' College, University of London

`This is a clever, witty book, dexterously marshalling a mass of detailed information.' Christopher Hill, The Spectator

`This book is the most radical reintepretation of the causes of the Civil War since S. R. Gardiner published his classic account over a century ago. ... This succinct and elegantly wirtten book is an intellectual tour de force. It is likely to set the terms of the debate on the causes of the English Civil War for many years to come.' John Adamson, Sunday Telegraph

`This is a brilliant and stimulating book ....' C. H. D. Coweman, Lecturer, University College London

`Excellent for subject - lucid, novel, wide-ranging would be one of main texts for a special subject.' Dr Ronald Hutton, Reader, University of Bristol

`The best history book of the year ...' Philip Howard, The Times Saturday Review

`This is an excellent book which will become a standard text on the period.' Dr R. C. Richardson, Head of the History Department, King Alfred's College, Winchester

`Fundamental reappraisal of the origins of the ware based on deep scholarship and long pondering: full of brilliant insights' Professor A J Fletcher, Department of History, Durham University

Synopsis

What were the causes of the English Civil War? In recent years, traditional explanations involving the struggle for sovereignty and the bourgeois revolution have been increasingly questioned. Conrad Russell's new analysis brings into focus fundamental religious and constitutional issues of vital importance to contemporaries, but until now neglected by historians. Basing his study on extensive research among both printed and unpublished sources, Professor Russell highlights the constitutional problems of multiple kingdoms within Britain; the religious problem of competing theologies within and outside a state church; and the economic problem of the inadequacy of royal revenue to meet the needs of the monarchy. In order to understand the events of the 1640s, he traces the story of the church and state back over the previous century. This is the fullest account yet available of the origins of one of the most significant events in British history. It will be essential reading for all students of the seventeenth century. Contents: The Corpus Delicti 1637-1642; The problem of Multiple Kingdoms c.

1580-1630; The Church, Religion, and Politics: The Problem of the Definite Article; The Church of England 1559-1625: A Church Designed by a Committee?; Religious Unity in Three Kingdoms and in One 1630-1642; The Rule of Law: Whose Slogan?; The Poverty of the Crown and the Weakness of the King; The Man Charles Stuart; Conclusion; Appendix.

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
• Publication date: 1990
• ISBN 10: 019822141X
• ISBN 13: 9780198221418
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 256