W.K. Jordan – författare

This study documents a momentous shift which occurred in men's aspirations for their society in the course of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The author has examined gifts and bequests left for charitable causes over a period of nearly two centuries. in ten English counties, in order to assess the changing pattern of social aspirations and observe the different 'velocities of change' among the several social classes.Professor Jordan examines the problem of poverty in the early modern world and discusses the various measures taken by the Tudors and Stuarts to deal with the needs of the poor. He concludes that poverty was principally relieved by an immense outpouring of charitable wealth. This wealth flowed principally from an urban aristocracy determined not only to care for the hopelessly destitute but so to enlarge the 'area of opportunity' so that poverty could be prevented. At the same time, the Elizabethan law of charitable uses marshalled this generous wealth into effective agencies. The study closes with a full assessment of the noble achievements of the period: the founding of a widespread and effective system of education, the establishment of almshouses in all parts of England, and extraordinairy adn fertile experiments with the several agencies of social rehabilitation.The author records in this voluma a great and enduring historical achievement; he records as well the triumph of the secular preoccupations of mankind.This book was first published in 1959.

In this work, Professor Jordan continues his study of the origins of modern social and cultural institutions in England. He is concerned with the momentous shift which occurred in men''s aspirations for their society in the course of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, as reflected in the charities which were established by gifts and bequests. This volume deals with the immense contribution made by London to this process of historical change, a change so swift as to be revolutionary in its institutional implications. The author describes the vast charitable system which London created, examines at length the aspirations and the social philosophy of the merchant aristocracy which controlled its affairs, and seeks to assess the social dominance exerted by London in this era as the flood of its charitable generosity poured out across the face of the realm. It is Professor Jordan''s estimate that more than a third of the whole of the great charitable endowments created in England during this period were London''s gift, while almost a third of London''s benefactions were made for the benefit of communities in other parts of the realm. It is not too much to say that London''s almost prodigal generosity was fashioning for all of England the institutions of a new age. Here is recorded the annal of a proud achievement by a city which discovered its own greatness in the period under discussion. It is perhaps not too much to say that few authors have quite so fully mastered the rich and variegated life and aspirations of the city as has Professor Jordan, certainly none have recounted the triumph of its achievement with greater understanding and pride. This book was first published in 1960.

In this work, Professor Jordan continues his study of the origins of modern social and cultural institutions in England. He is concerned with the momentous shift which occurred in men''s aspirations for their society in the course of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, as reflected in the charities which were established by gifts and bequests. This volume deals with the immense contribution made by London to this process of historical change, a change so swift as to be revolutionary in its institutional implications. The author describes the vast charitable system which London created, examines at length the aspirations and the social philosophy of the merchant aristocracy which controlled its affairs, and seeks to assess the social dominance exerted by London in this era as the flood of its charitable generosity poured out across the face of the realm. It is Professor Jordan''s estimate that more than a third of the whole of the great charitable endowments created in England during this period were London''s gift, while almost a third of London''s benefactions were made for the benefit of communities in other parts of the realm. It is not too much to say that London''s almost prodigal generosity was fashioning for all of England the institutions of a new age. Here is recorded the annal of a proud achievement by a city which discovered its own greatness in the period under discussion. It is perhaps not too much to say that few authors have quite so fully mastered the rich and variegated life and aspirations of the city as has Professor Jordan, certainly none have recounted the triumph of its achievement with greater understanding and pride. This book was first published in 1960.