Change and Continuity in Seventeenth-Century England

by Christopher Hill

In this book one of England's most distinguished historians explores the causes and consequences of the English Revolution, the years from 1640 to 1660 when the triumph of Protestantism encouraged a questioning of authority in English political, economic, social, religious and intellectual life. This was a decisive period in the evolution of the modern world, an essential precondition of England's becoming the first industrial nation. Hill considers both material and intellectual aspects of the Revolution, discussing, for example, the relationship between Protestantism and the rise of capitalism; the ideological attacks on divinity, law and medicine; and the entry of the 'Many-Headed Monster' - the masses - into politics. First published in 1974 and now available in paper, the book has been revised by the author to take into account subsequent scholarship in the field. 'Like all Hill's work, this volume is not only distinguished and accomplished, but deeply humane.' John Kenyon, Observer 'Hill's contribution to seventeenth-century English history has been enormous. This book, like all his others, is informative, stimulating, provocative, and most welcome.' John Miller, Times Higher Education Supplement Christopher Hill is the pre-eminent historian of seventeenth-century England. He was Master of Balliol College, Oxford, from 1965 to 1978 and Visiting Professor at the Open University. He is the author of numerous books, including 'The Century of Revolution', 'The World Turned Upside Down', 'Milton and the English Revolution' and 'A Turbulent, Seditious and Factious People: John Bunyan and His Church'.

Genres: History

370 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 1974

About the author

John Edward Christopher Hill was the pre-eminent historian of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century English history, and one of the most distinguished historians of recent times. Fellow historian E.P. Thompson once referred to him as the dean and paragon of English historians.

He was educated at Balliol College, Oxford. During World War II, he served in the Russian department of the British Foreign Office, returning to teach at Oxford after the war.

From 1958-1965 he was University Lecturer in 16th- and 17th-century history, and from 1965-1978 he was Master of Balliol College. He was a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and of the British Academy. He received numerous honorary degrees over the course of his career, including the Hon. Dr. Sorbonne Nouvelle in 1979.

Hill was an active Marxist and a member of the Communist Party from approximately 1934-1957, falling out with the Party after the Soviet suppression of the Hungarian uprisings of 1956.

In their obituary, The Guardian wrote of Hill:

"Christopher Hill…was the commanding interpreter of 17th-century England, and of much else besides.…it was as the defining Marxist historian of the century of revolution, the title of one of the most widely studied of his many books, that he became known to generations of students around the world. For all these, too, he will always be the master." [http://www.theguardian.com/news/2003/...]

Reviews

[Rick Goff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of lectures touching on various trends and topics in 17th century English thought. The first lecture discusses “the dark corners of the land,” which refers to the rural areas in the North and West, where both literacy and preaching were rare. Other chapters are concerned variously with the compatibility of Puritanism and capitalism, the consistency of calls for reform of law, medicine and clergy, and the placement of Isaac Newton in context. One lecture is a negative book review that grants insight into Hill’s views on the work of the competent historian.

I really enjoy reading Christopher Hill. His argument flows smoothly even while it’s chock full of documentation and quotation. He chooses interesting topics and elaborates them with insight.

[Matthew Welker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is a collection of essays from Christopher Hill on the various changes and continuity in 17th century England as the title implies. You’ll learn about the politics, religion, and various historical figures of the time. I think for anyone wanting to learn more about one of the most tumultuous centuries in English history, I’d recommend.