Description: This collection of essays examines the traumatic religious upheavals of early- and mid-sixteenth century England from the point of view of the early Protestants, a group which has been seriously neglected by recent scholarship. Leading British and American scholars re-examine early Protestantism, arguing that it was a complex movement which could have evolved in a number of directions. They explore its approach to issues of gender roles, the place of printing and print culture, and the ways in which Protestantism continued to be influenced by medieval religious culture.
Brief description: Peter Marshall is Senior Lecturer in History, University of Warwick. His previous books are The Catholic Priesthood and the English Reformation (Oxford, 1994); (ed.), The Impact of the English Reformation 1500-1640 (London 1997); (co-ed with Bruce Gordon) The Place of the Dead: Death and Remembrance in Late Medieval and Early Modern Europe (Cambridge, 2000).
Review Quotes: "This collection appeals not only to the Tudor specialist, but also to readers of social and religious history. But the greatest recommendation for The Beginnings of English Protestantism is that it serves as a vital counterpoint to the recent trends of revisionist history, illustrating the strength and depth of early English evangelism alongside the celebrated continuance of traditional religion." Janice Liedl, Laurentian University, Canadian Journal of History