Michael Mullett reconsiders, in the light of recent r attlee's* and of altering perceptions of the English past, the events of the crucial years 1678-1688; from the Restoration era through the exclusion crisis, and subsequent reign of James to the `Glorious Revolution' of 1688. He focuses on the central role of James, Duke of York, and from 1685-1688, King of England, but locates the growing difficulties of his reign within the wider context of political and religious trends.
The trial of the seven bishops in 1688 was a signifcant prelude to the Glorious Revolution, as popular support for the bishops led to a widespread welcome for William of Orange's invasion. Their prosecution showed James II at his most intolerant, and threatened the only institution for which most English people felt more loyalty than the monarchy.
The reign of James II, England's last Catholic king, remains controversial. His attempt to manipulate the electoral system to obtain a parliament that would abolish the Test Acts and Penal laws, which discriminated against his fellow Catholics, provoked his subjects to resistance and paved the way for the Revolution of 1688. The campaign is breathtaking both in its innovation and naiveté and nowhere is this more clearly highlighted than in the canvass of the gentry in the winter and spring of 1687-8. The canvass asked prospective MPs and electors to commit themselves to repeal. Historians have viewed the canvass as a failure: it did not bring the results the king hoped for and created a united opposition to the Stuart regime. However, as this book shows, scrutiny of the original canvass returns reveals that support for the king was stronger than was once assumed. It also reveals an endorsement of the general concept of religious toleration. William of Orange's invasion destroyed the king's plans, but given the time, could James have nurtured these 'green shoots' of religious pluralism in what was still a fiercely Protestant nation?
JAMES II was Britain’s last Catholic king. The spectacular collapse of his regime in 1688 and the seizure of his throne by his nephew William of Orange are the best-known events of his reign. But what of his life after this? What became of him during his final exile? John Callow’s groundbreaking study focuses on this hitherto neglected period of his life: the twelve years he spent attempting to recover his crown through war, diplomacy, assassination and subterfuge. This is the story of the genesis of Jacobitism; of the devotion of the fallen king’s followers, who shed their blood for him at the battle of the Boyne and the massacre at Glencoe, gave up estates and riches to follow him to France, and immortalised his name in artworks, print, and song. Yet, this first ‘King Over the Water’ was far more than a figurehead. A grim, inflexible warlord and a maladroit politician, he was also a man of undeniable principle, which he pursued regardless of the cost to either himself or his subjects. He was an author of considerable talent, and a monarch capable of successive reinventions. Denied his earthly kingdoms, he finally settled upon attaining a heavenly crown and was venerated by the Jacobites as a saint. This powerful, evocative and original book will appeal to anyone interested in Stuart history, politics, culture and military studies.
British history in the period from the restoration of 1660 to the revolution of 1688, no less than in other periods, has been subject to 'revisionism'. This volume examines and analyses some of the challenging new theories relating to politics, society, religion and culture that have attracted attention in recent years. It provides both a wide-ranging survey of the principal themes of the post-restoration era, and a series of insights derived from the detailed research of individual contributors.
Updated and expanded throughout to take into consideration the most up-to-date historical research, this new edition of The Origins of the Second World War analyzes the reasons for the outbreak of the Second World War. Experienced historian Ruth Henig considers: * the long-term factors that led to war * the effect of British appeasement policies * the significance of American isolation * the ambitions of Italy, Japan and Russia. The Origins of the Second World War brings one of the most controversial historical topics to life for a whole generation of students and scholars seeking to understand the reasoning and events behind this major event in world history.
Shennan examines the changing criteria upon which European relations were based between 1689 and 1789, a complex period which saw: * the decline of dynasticism * the emergence of economic power as a concomitant of military might * the growth of British influence * the dawn of nationalism For easy reference, this book also contains extensive chronologies of the important battles, treaties and alliances of the period, along with a list of further reading.
Sir Robert Peel provides an accessible and concise introduction to the life and career of one of the most political leaders of the nineteenth century. Perhaps best known for seeing through the Repeal of the Corn Laws, Peel had an enormous impact on political life of his age and beyond. Eric J. Evans reassesses Peel's career, arguing that although Peel's executive and administrative strengths were great, his arrogance, lack of empathy with the development of political parties and his inflexible commitment to economic liberalism presented political problems which he was incapable of solving. This expanded and fully revised second edition: fully engages with the extensive new historical work on Sir Robert Peel published since the first edition appeared fifteen years ago includes a glossary of key terms plus an updated and expanded bibliography, including listing useful websites. Sir Robert Peel is the perfect introduction for all students of nineteenth-century history.
