Dates: 1, 8, 15, 22 October 2018

Mondays: 11.00 – 13.00

Course code: 18TON363

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We will consider the reigns of James Iand Charles 1 up to the outbreak of the Civil War in 1642 by looking at fourthemes:

1. the divisive effect of anti-Popery and its role in the descent into civil war
2. the struggle for power between king and parliament.

In both topics we will consider why James I was more successful than Charles at maintaining peace in the three kingdoms.

We will also explore:

1. belief beyond the church and the phenomenon of witchcraft
2. the hunt for religious freedom and the experience of New World pilgrim.

Note: this course is intended as complimentary to our recent courses on Voices from the Civil War and on Oliver Cromwell, therefore they will not cover the Civil War or the Interregnum in detail.

Suggested reading

No preliminary reading is required, but a familiarity with the period through general texts may enhance your experience.

Additional information

No prior knowledge necessary.

Suitable for beginners and intermediates.

This course allows you to spend time exploring a subject for interest, among like-minded people, without formal assessment.

There will be discussion activities during the courses.

Intended learning outcomes

• You will gain a good understanding of the key themes in the religious and political life of seventeenth century England.
• You will the opportunity to explore in depth several specific topics that particularly characterise Stuart England.
• You will become familiar with a variety of original documents that illustrate the points under discussion, and the course will include extensive use of visual images.

About the tutor

Rebecca is an Early Modernreligious historian, specialising in the period of the English Civil War and the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell.  Her PhD was on the subject of the English church in the 1650s. Her Masters' thesis investigated the relationship between Church and State, focusing on the city of Canterbury in the fifteenth century. She has taught several undergraduate courses at the Canterbury campus on a range of late medieval and early modern topics, and given numerous papers on different aspects of late medieval and early modern religious history to academic and general interest audiences. She also has degrees in Landscape Architecture and maintains a strong interest in landscape and architectural history.