The Family of Love in English Society, 1550–1630

by Christopher W. Marsh

This book traces the history of the outlawed mystical fellowship, the 'Family of Love', in sixteenth- and seventeenth-century England. The Familists, devoted followers of a Messianic Dutch mystic named 'H. N.', were passionately denounced by many literate contemporaries, and an association with extremism, subversion and hypocrisy has endured. The author tracks the English Familists into their houses, fields and places of work. Although members of the Family were few in number and highly secretive, identification has proved possible in contexts ranging from the court of Elizabeth I to rural villages in Cambridgeshire. The author also examines the distinctive way of life which was developed by Family members within a wider society that, on the face of it, was hostile to religious dissenters: one surprising conclusion is that most English men and women seem to have possessed an impressive capacity to tolerate known 'heretics' in their midst.

Genres: History

325 pages, Hardcover

First published January 28, 1994

Reviews

[Denise Kettering · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book describes the actions of the Family of Love in England between 1550 and 1630, how they lived out their religious convictions, what difficulties they faced, and what the important doctrines of the group were. The book moves very slowly at times when the author attempts to show all of the relationships between the members of the community. However, on the whole, it is a solid piece of writing with intriguing detail, evidence of concentrated research, and reveals an underdeveloped area of research.

The Family of Love began in the Low Countries with the writings of a man named Hendrick Niclaes, published in English under the initials H.N. The general beliefs of the group surrounded an interesting understanding of soteriology as a process of illumination. This process required identification with the sufferings of Christ. There was an emphasis on attaining perfection as well.

The book describes in detail the development of the group from among the higher levels of society, often owning property and some even serving at court. There were many intermarriages between the group families and they faced challenges from the Puritans. Eventually, many ended up joining the Quaker movement.