Culture and Power in England, 1585-1685

Social History in Perspective

by R. Malcolm Smuts

Synthesizing recent interdisciplinary scholarship revising views of the political-cultural histories of late Victorian and Stuart England to the death of Charles II, and rejecting Marxist and Whiggish lenses, Smuts (history, U. of Massachusetts, Boston) underscores the tradition-challenging diversity of this seminal period around the Civil War reflected in the roles played by concepts of honor, law, divine providence, and humanist scholarship. Includes a few illustrations representing and satirizing 17th century types such as the cavalier and gentlemen soldier.

201 pages, Hardcover

Published October 1, 1999

Reviews

[Jonfaith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Less a survey of the period than an examination of recent scholarship towards such. Disappointing really. Not much to glean in its 150 pages. Understandably much more about Elizabeth I and Bill Shakespeare than anything between the Armada and Cromwell. Not helpful, personally.