The State and Social Change in Early Modern England, C. 1550-1640

Early Modern History: Society and Culture

by Steve Hindle

This is a study of the social and cultural implications of the growth of governance in England in the century after 1550. It is principally concerned with the role played by the middling sort in social and political regulation, especially through the use of law. It discusses the evolution of public policy in the context of contemporary understandings of economic change; and analyzes litigation, arbitration, social welfare, criminal justice, moral regulation, and parochial administration as manifestations of the increasing role of the state in early modern England.

Genres: History

338 pages, Hardcover

First published March 2, 2000

Reviews

[Vicky P · Rating 4 out of 5]

While at times exhausting to continue to read due to the proliferation of real-world examples, this book was nonetheless an engaging read, and gave much food for thought. It claimed to be a synthesis of social and political history, and on most counts it succeeded in considering both simultaneously in the instances of governance it covered. It clearly draws upon the scholarship that has come before it and also serves as something of a work of historiography, which is useful.

[Flynn Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

While a bit of a grind in terms of its presented evidence, Hindle’s limpid prose and analytical conclusions make this exhibition of “new social history” par excellence well worth your while.