Robert von Friedeburg, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands

'... provides both rich and contextualised accounts...Professor von Friedeburg has written a rich and stimulating book, and one that should play a distinguished role in further increasing our awareness of the European contexts of English political thinking...a most useful introduction to the political thought of early modern Germany...an important and valuable book.' Glenn Burgess, University of Hull 'Self-Defence and Religious Strife is a first-rate contribution to the task of understanding early modern England in European context... provides both rich and contextualised accounts... Professor von Friedeburg has written a rich and stimulating book, and one that should play a distinguished role in further increasing our awareness of the European contexts of English political thinking... This is an important and valuable book.' Albion '... it shows from an impressive number of sources that Germany's and England's political traditions were interwoven in decisive respects...' History of Political Thought '... a well-written, thoughtful and convincing study offering important insights for readers interested in early modern political theory.' Journal of Early Modern History

• Contents: Preface; Introduction: Sovereignty and religious strife: the state of the argument on resistance and self-defence; The Rule of Law Vindicated: Reform and reformation: resistance and defence in German lands 1488-1528; Self-defence and social status: the model developed - Torgau to Magdeburg 1529-1550; The delicate balance: the rule of law and religious strife in the Empire 1555-1620; Patriots and peasants: self-defence and the horrors of war, 1618-1648; The Rule of Law Disintegrated: Necessity, Self-Defence and the Reception of German Political Thought in England 1553-1648: The Marian and Elizabethan reception of German thought on resistance; Monarchy, obedience and German precedents 1588-1630s; Religious strife and self-defence 1638-48; Conclusion: self-defence, religious strife and political thought; Bibliography; Index.