Politics and religion in Exeter 1635-1660
In the mid-seventeenth century Exeter was the foremost city in the south west, with a population of about 10,000. Its economy was founded chiefly on the wool and cloth trades. Exeter's geographical pOSition made it an ideal distribution point for goods going to and coming from the continent, but it was also an important area for the finishing processes of the cloth industry. The city'S wealthiest inhabitants were mostly merchants who dominated Exeter politically through membership of the Corporation. The penetration of puritanism in the late Elizabethan and early Stuart era, a long history of conflict between the Corporation and the Cathedral clergy, as well as of hostility to the policies of Charles I during the 11 years 'tyranny', were among the main reasons which led the city to side with Parliament at the beginning of the civil war. In 1643 after some fierce fighting it surendered to the Royalists and was held by them until 1646 when Parliament'S forces led by Sir Thomas Fairfax recaptured it. The presence of a garrison was increasingly resented after 1647, and the presbyterian majority in the Corporation gradually lost faith in governments in the 1650s without ever openly resisting them. The threat of
Kittermaster, A. J.
History
Politics and religion in Exeter 1635-1660. In the mid-seventeenth century Exeter was the foremost city in the south west, with a population of about 10,000. Its economy was founded chiefly on the wool and cloth trades. Exeter's geographical pOSition made it an ideal distribution point for goods going to and coming from the continent, but it was also an important area for the finishing processes of the cloth industry. The city'S wealthiest inhabitants were mostly merchants who dominated Exeter politically through membership of the Corporation. The penetration of puritanism in the late Elizabethan and early Stuart era, a long history of conflict between the Corporation and the Cathedral clergy, as well as of hostility to the policies of Charles I during the 11 years 'tyranny', were among the main reasons which led the city to side with Parliament at the beginning of the civil war. In 1643 after some fierce fighting it surendered to the Royalists and was held by them until 1646 when Parliament'S forces led by Sir Thomas Fairfax recaptured it. The presence of a garrison was increasingly resented after 1647, and the presbyterian majority in the Corporation gradually lost faith in governments in the 1650s without ever openly resisting them. The threat of
politics_religion exeter exeter foremost city south_west population economy found chiefly wool cloth trade exeter geographical position make ideal distribution point good come continent also_important area process cloth industry city wealthy inhabitant mostly merchant dominate exeter politically membership corporation penetration puritanism late elizabethan early_stuart era long_history conflict corporation cathedral clergy well hostility policy charles years among main_reason lead city side parliament begin civil_war fierce fight hold parliament force_lead sir thomas presence garrison increasingly presbyterian majority corporation gradually lose faith government without ever openly resist them threat