British History in Perspective – serie

Abandoning the traditional narrative approach to the subject, Richard Rex presents an analytical account which sets out the logic of Henry VIII''s shortlived Reformation. Starting with the fundamental matter of the royal supremacy, Rex goes on to investigate the application of this principle to the English ecclesiastical establishment and to the traditional religion of the people. He then examines the extra impetus and the new direction which Henry''s regime gave to the development of a vernacular and literate devotional culture, and shows how, despite Henry''s best intentions, serious religious divisions had emerged in England by the end of his reign. The study emphasises the personal role of Henry VIII in driving the Reformation process and how this process, in turn, considerably reinforced the monarch''s power.This updated edition of a powerful interpretation of Henry VIII''s Reformation retains the analytical edge and stylish lucidity of the original text while taking full account of the latest research. An important new chapter elucidates the way in which ''politics'' and ''religion'' interacted in early Tudor England.

1066 is still one of the most memorable dates in British history. In this accessible text, Brian Golding explores the background to the Norman invasion, the process of colonisation, and the impact of the Normans on English society.Thoroughly revised and updated in light of the latest scholarship, the Second Edition of this established text features entirely new sections on:- The colonisation of towns- women and the Conquest- The impact of the Conquest on the peasantry.Ideal for students, scholars and general readers alike, Conquest and Colonisation is an essential introduction to this pivotal period in British history.

1066 is still one of the most memorable dates in British history. In this accessible text, Brian Golding explores the background to the Norman invasion, the process of colonisation, and the impact of the Normans on English society.Thoroughly revised and updated in light of the latest scholarship, the Second Edition of this established text features entirely new sections on:- The colonisation of towns- women and the Conquest- The impact of the Conquest on the peasantry.Ideal for students, scholars and general readers alike, Conquest and Colonisation is an essential introduction to this pivotal period in British history.

On a stormy night in 1286, a man fell off his horse and broke his neck, setting two kingdoms on a 300-year course of war. Edward I seized the opportunity to pursue English claims to overlordship of Scotland; William Wallace and Robert Bruce headed the 'patriotic' resistance. Their collision shaped the history, politics and nationhood of the two realms, and dragged in a third with the formation of the Franco-Scottish Auld Alliance. It also created a unique society on both sides of the Anglo-Scottish border. What prevented peace from breaking out? And how, at the dawn of the seventeenth century, could a Scottish king succeed, peacefully and unopposed, to the Auld Enemy's throne?Andy King and Claire Etty trace the fractious relationship between England and Scotland from the death of Alexander III to the accession of James VI as James I of England. Spanning medieval and early modern history, this book is the ideal starting point for students studying Anglo-Scottish relations up to the Union.

From 1095 to the end of the thirteenth century, the crusades touched the lives of many thousands of British people, even those who were not crusaders themselves. In this introductory survey, Kathryn Hurlock compares and contrasts the crusading experiences of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.Taking a thematic approach, Hurlock provides an overview of the crusading movement, and explores key aspects of the crusades, such as:- Where crusaders came from- When and why the papacy chose to recruit crusaders- The impact on domestic life, as shown through literature, religion and taxation - Political uses of the crusades- The role of the military orders in Britain This wide-ranging and accessible text is the ideal introduction to this fascinating subject in early British history.

From 1095 to the end of the thirteenth century, the crusades touched the lives of many thousands of British people, even those who were not crusaders themselves. In this introductory survey, Kathryn Hurlock compares and contrasts the crusading experiences of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.Taking a thematic approach, Hurlock provides an overview of the crusading movement, and explores key aspects of the crusades, such as:- Where crusaders came from- When and why the papacy chose to recruit crusaders- The impact on domestic life, as shown through literature, religion and taxation - Political uses of the crusades- The role of the military orders in Britain This wide-ranging and accessible text is the ideal introduction to this fascinating subject in early British history.

This indispensable introductory guide offers students a number of highly focused chapters on key themes in Restoration history. Each addresses a core question relating to the period 1660-1714, and uses artistic and literary sources as well as more traditional texts of political history to illustrate and illuminate arguments. George Southcombe and Grant Tapsell provide clear analyses of different aspects of the era whilst maintaining an overall coherence based on three central propositions:- 1660-1714 represents a political world fundamentally influenced by the civil wars and interregnum- The period can best be understood by linking together types of evidence too often separated in conventional accounts- The high politics of kings and their courts should be examined within broader social and geographical contextsFeaturing chapters on the exclusion crisis, Charles II and James VII/II, as well as the British dimension, restoration culture, and politics out-of-doors, this is essential reading for anyone studying this fascinating period in British history.

The civil wars of the first half of the fifteenth century still stand in the popular imagination as the period of greatest anarchy in English history. While historians have long taken a more measured view, controversy still surrounds their interpretation.In this revised edition of his revaluation of the Wars of the Roses, A. J. Pollard has incorporated into the text the product of new research and consideration of the debates which have emerged since the book was first published in 1988. These include the new stress on 'constitutional' history, intensified dispute about the origins of the wars, and recent reinterpretations of the careers of some of the principal personalities.In a topic which has become more contested in the last decade of the twentieth century, this introduction offers a succinct narrative, a review of the historiography and an overview of the problems of interpretation of the character, causes, impact and consequences of the wars which periodically disrupted England between 1459 and 1487.

The civil wars of the first half of the fifteenth century still stand in the popular imagination as the period of greatest anarchy in English history. While historians have long taken a more measured view, controversy still surrounds their interpretation.In this revised edition of his revaluation of the Wars of the Roses, A. J. Pollard has incorporated into the text the product of new research and consideration of the debates which have emerged since the book was first published in 1988. These include the new stress on 'constitutional' history, intensified dispute about the origins of the wars, and recent reinterpretations of the careers of some of the principal personalities.In a topic which has become more contested in the last decade of the twentieth century, this introduction offers a succinct narrative, a review of the historiography and an overview of the problems of interpretation of the character, causes, impact and consequences of the wars which periodically disrupted England between 1459 and 1487.

This indispensable introductory guide offers students a number of highly focused chapters on key themes in Restoration history. Each addresses a core question relating to the period 1660-1714, and uses artistic and literary sources – as well as more traditional texts of political history – to illustrate and illuminate arguments. George Southcombe and Grant Tapsell provide clear analyses of different aspects of the era whilst maintaining an overall coherence based on three central propositions:- 1660-1714 represents a political world fundamentally influenced by the civil wars and interregnum- The period can best be understood by linking together types of evidence too often separated in conventional accounts- The high politics of kings and their courts should be examined within broader social and geographical contextsFeaturing chapters on the exclusion crisis, Charles II and James VII/II, as well as the British dimension, restoration culture, and politics out-of-doors, this is essential reading for anyone studying this fascinating period in British history.

This indispensable introductory guide offers students a number of highly focused chapters on key themes in Restoration history. Each addresses a core question relating to the period 1660-1714, and uses artistic and literary sources – as well as more traditional texts of political history – to illustrate and illuminate arguments. George Southcombe and Grant Tapsell provide clear analyses of different aspects of the era whilst maintaining an overall coherence based on three central propositions:- 1660-1714 represents a political world fundamentally influenced by the civil wars and interregnum- The period can best be understood by linking together types of evidence too often separated in conventional accounts- The high politics of kings and their courts should be examined within broader social and geographical contextsFeaturing chapters on the exclusion crisis, Charles II and James VII/II, as well as the British dimension, restoration culture, and politics out-of-doors, this is essential reading for anyone studying this fascinating period in British history.

Eighteenth-century Britons were frequently anxious about the threat of invasion, military weakness, possible financial collapse and potential revolution. Anthony Page argues that between 1744 and 1815, Britain fought a 'Seventy Years War' with France. This invaluable study:- Argues for a new periodization of eighteenth-century British history, and explains the politics and course of Anglo-French war- Explores Britain's 'fiscal-naval' state and its role in the expansion of empire and industrial revolution- Highlights links between war, Enlightenment and the evolution of modern British culture and politicsSynthesizing recent research on political, military, economic, social and cultural history, Page demonstrates how Anglo-French war influenced the revolutionary era and helped to shape the first age of global imperialism.

Eighteenth-century Britons were frequently anxious about the threat of invasion, military weakness, possible financial collapse and potential revolution. Anthony Page argues that between 1744 and 1815, Britain fought a 'Seventy Years War' with France. This invaluable study:- Argues for a new periodization of eighteenth-century British history, and explains the politics and course of Anglo-French war- Explores Britain's 'fiscal-naval' state and its role in the expansion of empire and industrial revolution- Highlights links between war, Enlightenment and the evolution of modern British culture and politicsSynthesizing recent research on political, military, economic, social and cultural history, Page demonstrates how Anglo-French war influenced the revolutionary era and helped to shape the first age of global imperialism.

The changes begun by the devolution referendum of 1997 have caused interest and concern throughout Britain. What seemed a remote and abstract question to many has, in the last few years, struck at the heart of the issue of what Britain is - and it is increasingly clear that things will never be the same again.Scottish Nationality is written with these changes in mind. It is the only book available which both gives an overview of what made Scotland a nation across the whole of its history, while also focusing in closely on the issues of the present day, in particular, Scotland''s relationship with Britain. Murray Pittock discusses historic Scottish nationality, modern nationalism and patriotism within the Union.What is a nation? How has Scotland developed within Britain? Where does it stand now? And what does the future hold? These questions are all addressed, and Pittock also deals in detail with the essential facts of Scotland''s story - not a story which can be understood in isolation. Scottish Nationality examines Scotland''s relationship with both England and the wider world in order to put Scotland in context within the new British history and the new Britain itself. As for the future, the book avoids unverifiable predictions, instead showing evidence of various trends, and suggesting the importance of arguments for mutual understanding of Scotland''s and England''s national traditions.

How did the Protestants gain a monopoly over the running of Ireland and replace the Catholics as rulers and landowners? To answer this question, Toby Barnard:- Examines the Catholics'' attempt to regain control over their own affairs, first in the 1640s and then between 1689 and 1691- Outlines how military defeats doomed the Catholics to subjection, allowing Protestants to tighten their grip over the government- Studies in detail the mechanisms - both national and local - through which Protestant control was exercisedFocusing on the provinces as well as Dublin, and on the subjects as well as the rulers, Barnard draws on an abundance of unfamiliar evidence to offer unparalleled insights into Irish lives during a troubled period.

This book fills an important gap in the literature on the history of the modern Royal Navy. Eric Grove provides the only up-to-date, single-authored short history of the service over the last two hundred years, synthesizing the new work and latest research on the subject which has radically transformed our understanding of the story of British naval development.Grove offers a concise and authoritative account of Royal Navy policy, structure, technical development and operations from the end of the Napoleonic Wars to the close of the eventful twentieth century. Ideal for both specialist and general readers, this essential introduction explains how the Royal Navy maintained its pre-eminent position in the nineteenth century and how it coped with the more difficult problems of the twentieth, in times of peace and war.

The Great Irish Famine of 1845-51 was both one of the most lethal famines in modern history and a watershed in the development of modern Ireland. This book - based on a wide range of little-used sources - demonstrates how the Famine profoundly affected many aspects of Irish life: the relationship between the churches; the nationalist movement; and the relationship with the monarchy. In addition to looking at the role of the government, Kinealy shows the importance of private charity in saving lives. One of the most challenging aspects of the publication is the chapter on food supply, in which Kinealy concludes that, despite the potato blight, Ireland was still producing enough food to feed its people. The long-term impact of the tragedy, notably the way in which it has been remembered and commemorated, is also examined.

This new book looks at British Politics in the 1760's and 1770's during the American Revolution. Perry looks particularly at colonialism and the colonial administration, and at the general conduct of the war with America. He also surveys the development of radicalism in Britain subsequent to the war and looks at constitutional developments during this period in Britain and America.

Undergraduate and sixth-form students will undoubtedly benefit from his lucid and critical commentary.' - Martin Pugh, History.

This marvellous new book sets the developments in the government of England under the early Tudors in the context of recent work on the fifteenth century and on continental Europe.

Examining Scotland's position within the regal union of the 17th century, this book is an up-to-date narrative incorporating recent research, questioning the extent that Scottish political ideas were influenced by the new relationship with England, brought about by the union of the crowns in 1603. It asks what effect the union had on Scottish political elites and on the development of political institutions. While addressing these issues, the book follows the political narrative of this turbulent century, explaining Scottish affairs within a British context without losing sight of the very distinctive nature of Scottish politics. By the author of "Bloodfeud in Scotland 1573-1625".

Historians, like politicians, thrive in crises. Was there really a crisis in England between 1545 and 1565, or is this just a way of describing a period in history when a lot of interesting things where happening?In reality the twenty years from 1545 to 1565 contained no more elements of crisis than other comparable periods. There were crises: a brief, but serious collapse of the overseas cloth trade in 1551-52, and a confused royal succession in 1553. Inflation began to be a problem in about 1545, and remained so for the remainder of the century. The Church had already undergone a major revolution in the 1530s, and the mid-century period could be described as the 'search for a stable settlement', a search had succeeded by 1565.Indeed, the machinery of central and local government worked throughout this period, with only minor fluctuations in its efficiency and effectiveness. Although, therefore, there were crises within in the mid-Tudor period, there was no fundamental threat to the state or societyMary and Northumberland's achievements in particular have been much underrated as governors in order, originally, to magnify those of Elizabeth propaganda. DAVID LOADES rights the record and argues for the surprising stability of government during this period

What caused the 'strange death of Labour Britain'? Why did the party that swept to power in 1945 - and governed for half of the next twenty five years - falter so badly in the 1970's and 1980's? Here the author weighs up the conflicting arguments, and also takes a broader look at the interaction of policy, ideology and organisation in Labour's history. By drawing together these themes, Dr Jeffreys provides a wide-ranging introductory study: the first historical overview of the Labour party to cover the whole period between the eras of Clement Attlee and John Smith.

This volume examines the main themes in Welsh history from the coming of the Normans in the eleventh century and their impact on Welsh society and politics to the fall of the Duke of Buckingham, the last great marcher magnate, in 1521. It also looks at the part played by the leaders of the native Welsh community in the years after the conquest of 1282-3. This is one of the less familiar aspects of the medieval history of the British Isles, but one in which there has been an increasing interest in recent years.Wales lost its independence in 1282. Owain Glyn Dwr led a revolt in the early fifteenth century. Henry Tudor was of Welsh descent and landed in Milford Haven in 1485. These are the most familiar facts about the History of Medieval Wales, and today this history is often presented as nothing more than a romantic story of princes and castles. But there is a great deal more to it. Like every other nation, Wales has a history and identity of its own, and Edward I did not bring that history to an end. Unlike England it was not conquered by the Normans. In the thirteenth century the native princess of Gwynedd tried to create a single Welsh principality, and for a short time came close to success. The fourteenth century was much a period of crisis for Wales as for every other part of Europe and the effect of the Black Death lasted a long time. The fifteenth century saw the leaders of the community move on to a wider political stage.Why did conquest come in 1282? Who was Owain Glyn Dwr and why did he rebel? Why was Henry Tudor's bid for power based in Wales and what gave him credibility there? Dr Carr considers these questions and suggests some possible answers as he examines one of the less familiar areas of British History.

This work is intended to examine the main trends in Wales during the century following the Tudor settlement of Wales. Emphasis is placed on the social structure, the framework of government and administration, and the Reformation Settlement. The Stuart accession and its repercussions are also considered in relation to political, economic and cultural affairs, as well as the attitudes of the Welsh gentry to a new environment on the eve of the Civil War. The work makes ample use of contemporary sources to examine each aspect of the political, governmental and religious life of Wales.

In the eleventh century there was no such identity as Scotland. The Scots were one of several peoples in the Kingdom of the King of Scots: the Picts may have faded away, but English, British, Galwegians were still distinct and Anglo-Normans were soon to be added. On the eve of the Reformation, five centuries later, Scotland was one of the most fiercely self-conscious nations in Europe. How this came about is the theme of this study.

The aim of this book is to set the Glorious Revolution in its religious, political and diplomatic background and examine its consequences for Britain and Europe. Cruickshanks discusses the problems of the reign of James II that led to the invasion of William of Orange in November 1688. The book summarises and interprets the best in the many collections of essays published for the Tercentenary of the Glorious Revolution, as well as works published since. The Whig interpretation of history, the impact of the Revolution on Scotland and Ireland, and conventional wisdom on the constitutional settlement and the Financial Revolution are all reviewed in a new light.

This book provides a thematic survey of English foreign policy in the sixteenth century, focusing on the influence of the concept of honour, security concerns, religious ideology and commercial interests on the making of policy. It draws attention to aspects of continuity with the late-medieval past but argues, too, that the European Reformation brought new challenges which forced a rethinking of policy. Far from treating the sixteenth century as the period when England began its rise as a Great Power, the author emphasises the structural weaknesses of the English armed forces and demonstrates that dangers and insecurities did more to mould foreign policy than the energy and confidence of the Tudor rulers.

What is it about the Irish that has kept them at each other's throats throughout this century? In this thought-provoking book, Professor Harkness charts the record of antagonistic aspirations that have divided Irish Nationalists from Irish Unionists (the latter, since 1920, being concentrated in the six Counties of Northern Ireland). Before the First World War, advocates of Irish Home rule opposed Unionist defenders of the United Kingdom. During and after the War, Irish Nationalist separatists struggled against the Unionist stronghold in the North East. When, in 1922, Ireland was divided between two unequal administrations, deadlock ensued. The Irish Free State became first a Dominion in the British Commonwealth and then, in 1949, the Irish Republic outside it. Northern Ireland soldiered on, a mere local administration devolved from Westminster, determined to remain part of the United Kingdom, but weakened by a divided population and by uncertain support from London. In 1972, after a fierce renewal of communal strife within Northern Ireland, London reasserted its rule over the province, sought an end to violent conflict, and pursued relations with Dublin to that end. The contrast of the Belfast-Dublin perspectives throughout this period are the substance of this book, yet the ongoing record of practical day-to-day operations is also part of the story. A multitude of contacts persisted across the Irish frontier, economic and social, sporting and cultural, religious and professionals, and to these too this book makes reference.