This book, first published in 1979, presents a series of important investigations into the German Peasant War of 1525 – the last great peasant revolt and the first modern revolution. Previously under-studied by English-speaking historians, these essays provide a valuable analysis of the aims and extent of the Peasant War, and are representative of the various elements in the historiographical debate.
This book, first published in 1979, presents a series of important investigations into the German Peasant War of 1525 - the last great peasant revolt and the first modern revolution. Previously under-studied by English-speaking historians, these essays provide a valuable analysis of the aims and extent of the Peasant War, and are representative of the various elements in the historiographical debate.
An introduction to theoretical and empirical research, with chapters written by experts from many disciplines. Stayer argues that Anabaptist community of goods continued the popular radicalism of the early Reformation and the Peasants' War of 1525. After the defeat of the commoners in the Peasants' War, some of the most ardent adherents of social and religious reform attempted to achieve these same aspirations by trying to implement the apostolic model of Acts 2 and 4 through the Anabaptists. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
The German Peasants' War of 1524-26 was the greatest popular uprising in European history before the French Revolution. Its significance is heightened by the contemporary struggle for religious renewal in the Reformation, which had a decisive influence on its course. Yet very little writing in English has discussed the Peasants' War in detail. This volume traces the war through contemporary documents, both published and original, for the English-speaking reader in translation. It gives generous coverage to the causes and course of the revolt, and to its ideological mainsprings and forms of organization. At the same time it illustrates the authorities' response, the role of towns in the revolt, and the sociological variety of the participants. The main political theories inspired by the revolt receive full treatment, and the volume concludes with detailed coverage of the attempts to suppress the insurrection and its political and social aftermath. Accompanying the selection of 162 documents is an extended introduction, which traces the main issues facing historians in seeking to understand the revolt: it also provides thumbnail sketches of the course of the Peasants' War in the five main areas of rebellion. The volume includes eight maps for convenient reference and a select bibliography for further reading. This study will be of particular interest to undergraduate and graduate students of history, politics, religion, sociology, and anthropology taking courses on early modern Europe, revolutions and social movements, peasant studies, the transition from feudalism to capitalism, and the Reformation.
"The short reign of Edward VI was a turbulent one, even by Tudor standards. In addition to such perennial problems as religious change, inflation, poor harvests, and war with Scotland and France - and to some extent as a result of them - the kingdom was threatened by widespread unrest, riots, and rebellions among the common people." "The riots and rebellions were, of course, put down, and their history was recorded by the educated ruling class. In this study, Barrett L. Beer looks at these dramatic events from the viewpoint of the rebellious commoners. Drawing on a variety of contemporary manuscript sources, he analyzes the themes of discontent that motivated them, the radical demands that challenged the social order, and the acts of repression and reform by which the government responded. Above the clamor of the streets and countryside runs the intricate story of the interaction and often confusing relations among the commoners, the gentry who controlled local government, and the king's councillors in London." "Rebellion and Riot provides insights into the critical mid-Tudor period in England. The discontents these riots reflected helped shape the direction of later history."--BOOK JACKET.
On Its release, the seven volume A People’s History of Christianity was lauded for its commitment to raising awareness of the ways in which ordinary Christians have lived throughout more than twenty centuries of Christian History. Each volume provides a valuable overview on such topics as birth and death, baptism rites, food, power, heresy, and more.
