This module reviews the societal polarization resulting from economic changes between 1560 and 1640. Professor Wrightson discusses how wealth disparity grew between the gentry and the impoverished population while also highlighting the emergence of the 'middling sort.' The module addresses the increasing levels of poverty and government responses, culminating in the establishment of the Poor Laws.
This introductory module sets the stage for exploring early modern England by discussing its key political and social features. Professor Wrightson emphasizes the significance of this period in shaping modern society and how it influenced other nations. He also reflects on the study of history, particularly the relevance of early modern England to contemporary issues.
This module outlines the hierarchical structure of early modern English society, contrasting rural and urban social orders. Professor Wrightson discusses the roles of various social classes, including the nobility, gentry, and common people, and highlights the mechanisms maintaining this social order, such as literature and religious instruction. The module concludes with an examination of the flexibility within social relationships despite the rigid theoretical hierarchy.
This module delves into the structures and dynamics of households in early modern England, differentiating between urban and rural settings. Professor Wrightson explains the establishment of households, courtship, and marriage practices, emphasizing the distinct roles of individuals, particularly women and children. He discusses how external crises, such as famine or disease, could impact household stability and the strategies employed by families for survival.
This module investigates the concept of community in early modern England, challenging modern perceptions of traditional communities. Professor Wrightson discusses the roles of lordship, tenancy, customs, and social bonds in rural and urban contexts. He argues that while communities provided essential support and social networks, they could also be sources of tension and conflict. The module highlights the complexities of neighborly and kinship relationships in early modern society.
This module discusses the idea of 'countries' and local networks in early modern England, examining regional customs and economic patterns. Professor Wrightson highlights the integration of local areas into a national framework, emphasizing the significance of trade and market towns. The module covers the role of urban areas in social and economic life, illustrating how local economies contributed to the broader national market.
This module analyzes the structures of power in early modern England, exploring the shift from institutional focus to political culture. Professor Wrightson discusses the formal institutions of government, such as law courts and Parliament, and examines royal authority dynamics. He highlights the influence of Henry VII and Henry VIII on their reigns and how Tudor monarchs expanded their power through various means, setting the stage for future governance changes.
This module reviews late medieval religion in England and the critics of Catholicism leading up to the Reformation. Professor Wrightson examines the vibrancy of the late medieval church and introduces key groups advocating for reform, including educated clerics and Lollards. He analyzes the role of traditional piety in daily life and the emergence of dissenting voices that would shape the Reformation's trajectory.
This module delves into the English Reformation's progression from legislative beginnings under Henry VIII to doctrinal changes. Professor Wrightson outlines how royal supremacy over the church facilitated religious transformation, examining the roles of key figures during the period. The discussion includes the fluctuations of Protestantism under Edward VI and Mary I, illustrating the enduring impact of the Reformation on English society.
This module explores the economic and social challenges in early modern England from 1520-1560, tracing rising population and inflation impacts. Professor Wrightson discusses the resulting social dislocation and growing poverty, alongside the Commonwealth's Men moral outrage. He analyzes popular rebellions like the Pilgrimage of Grace and examines Sir Thomas Smith's economic thought, which informed government responses to these issues.
This module discusses the Elizabethan religious settlement established in 1559 and its defense against Papists and Puritans. Professor Wrightson explains how the settlement aimed to balance traditional worship with Protestant doctrine to minimize conflict. However, tensions escalated from the 1570s due to dissent from both Catholic and Puritan groups. The module highlights how the Church of England gradually became accepted within society despite these challenges.
This module provides an overview of political participation during the reign of Elizabeth I, focusing on her character and interactions with advisors. Professor Wrightson discusses foreign and domestic crises impacting her rule and highlights shifts in political culture expanding the role of institutions like Parliament. He introduces the concept of the "monarchical republic," detailing how Elizabeth cooperated with political stakeholders amid evolving governance ideas.
This module analyzes the economic expansion in England from 1560 to 1640, tracing the rise in population and urban growth despite crises. Professor Wrightson reviews agricultural improvements, industrial development, and the growth in internal and foreign trade. He highlights the paradox of economic expansion alongside rising prices and persistent poverty, providing critical insights into this transformative period.
This module reviews the societal polarization resulting from economic changes between 1560 and 1640. Professor Wrightson discusses how wealth disparity grew between the gentry and the impoverished population while also highlighting the emergence of the 'middling sort.' The module addresses the increasing levels of poverty and government responses, culminating in the establishment of the Poor Laws.
This module delves into the beliefs surrounding witchcraft and magic in early modern England, exploring the societal context of magical practices. Professor Wrightson discusses the role of 'cunning folk' and the church's identification of witchcraft as anti-Christian. He examines the prosecution history in England, contrasting it with Scotland and Europe and analyzes gender links and the reasons behind witchcraft statutes.
This module addresses crime and law in early modern England, focusing on violence and property crime. Professor Wrightson examines regional variations and social contexts of violence before detailing property crime categories and court proceedings. He highlights the peak of prosecutions during the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, offering insights into the law's discretionary nature and its societal implications.
This module discusses popular protests as a form of resistance during the expansion of capitalism and state power in the early modern era. Professor Wrightson charts examples of collective violence, including grain riots and the figure of Captain Swing, illustrating the social dynamics underlying these movements. The module emphasizes the struggles of working people seeking justice amid systemic changes.
This module assesses the state of education in late medieval England, exploring the cultural influences that spurred educational expansion in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Professor Wrightson discusses hierarchies of learning, the transformation of elite education, and the establishment of grammar schools. He emphasizes the increase in literacy rates, detailing how this shift had significant cultural and political ramifications for society.
This module reviews the religious conflicts within the Church of England during the early seventeenth century, particularly between Puritans and Arminians. Professor Wrightson describes the 'Jacobethan consensus' and how Puritan activism challenged it. He discusses the Arminian movement's rise and its implications for the polarization of religion and politics, ultimately leading to the tensions that contributed to the English Civil War.
This module examines the political landscape leading to the English Civil War, focusing on the tensions between the crown and political nation during the reigns of James I and Charles I. Professor Wrightson highlights key events, such as the role of the Duke of Buckingham and the increasing dissatisfaction with royal policies. The module sets the foundation for understanding the civil conflict's emergence.
This module explores the major events of the English Civil Wars, culminating in the execution of Charles I in 1649. Professor Wrightson discusses the reemergence of Parliament, the formation of the New Model Army, and the war strategies of both royalist and parliamentarian forces. The module highlights the significant political changes that resulted from the conflict and the implications for English governance.
This module discusses the regicide of Charles I and the subsequent establishment of republican regimes from 1649 to 1660. Professor Wrightson examines negotiations post-war, Oliver Cromwell's rise, and the complexities of the Commonwealth and Protectorate periods. The module concludes by analyzing the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 and the lasting political ramifications of the revolution.
This module examines the Restoration Era from 1660 to 1688, focusing on the tensions between the crown and political nation during the reigns of Charles II and James II. Professor Wrightson discusses key events such as Charles's religious toleration attempts and the Popish Plot. The module culminates with the Glorious Revolution, detailing the political landscape that led to William of Orange's intervention.
This module discusses the British economic development from 1660 to 1720, emphasizing the growth of the economy in this transformative period. Professor Wrightson highlights agricultural specialization, urbanization, and expansion of overseas trade, focusing on the emergence of a national market economy linked to global trading networks. The module concludes with an analysis of how Britain became a core player in the burgeoning world economy.
This module examines the transformation of the English state following the Glorious Revolution of 1688. Professor Wrightson discusses the ambiguities of the Revolutionary Settlement and how parliamentary governance was strengthened through responses to war demands. The module also covers the Act of Settlement of 1701 and the origins of the 1707 Act of Union, highlighting the complexities of the British state in 1714.
This concluding module reflects on the main themes of the course, emphasizing the complexities of historical change. Professor Wrightson encourages students to understand history as a means of contextualizing modern society and offers insights into historiographical lessons learned throughout the course. The module concludes with acknowledgments to the Teaching Fellows who contributed to the course.