Laudians, Puritans and the laity in Essex c. 1630-1642
The sources for investigating Laudianism and Puritanism in Essex during the 1630s and early 1640s are especially rich, illuminating the beliefs, attitudes and actions not only of clergymen but also of lay people from all social groups. The thesis begins with a general chapter in which the extent and type of evidence for Laudianism and Puritanism amongst the clergy is discussed. The reliability and accuracy of the sources is assessed and it is demonstrated that about equal numbers of beneficed Puritan and Laudian clergy are known to have been working in Essex at the outbreak of the English Civil War. Chapters two, three and four provided three individual case studies of clergy in order to provide a fuller understanding of Laudianism and Puritanism as they manifested themselves in the parishes of Essex. Chapter two examines the Laudianism and career of Richard Drake. As comparisons of his beliefs with those of other Laudians demonstrate, Drake was extremely representative of the Laudian movement. It is shown that Drake was typical too in confining himself largely to the company of other Laudians, and refusing in any way to accept the religious changes of the Civil War and Interregnum. The life and works of the
Egan, Mary-Millicent
Laudianism; Puritanism
Laudians, Puritans and the laity in Essex c. 1630-1642. The sources for investigating Laudianism and Puritanism in Essex during the 1630s and early 1640s are especially rich, illuminating the beliefs, attitudes and actions not only of clergymen but also of lay people from all social groups. The thesis begins with a general chapter in which the extent and type of evidence for Laudianism and Puritanism amongst the clergy is discussed. The reliability and accuracy of the sources is assessed and it is demonstrated that about equal numbers of beneficed Puritan and Laudian clergy are known to have been working in Essex at the outbreak of the English Civil War. Chapters two, three and four provided three individual case studies of clergy in order to provide a fuller understanding of Laudianism and Puritanism as they manifested themselves in the parishes of Essex. Chapter two examines the Laudianism and career of Richard Drake. As comparisons of his beliefs with those of other Laudians demonstrate, Drake was extremely representative of the Laudian movement. It is shown that Drake was typical too in confining himself largely to the company of other Laudians, and refusing in any way to accept the religious changes of the Civil War and Interregnum. The life and works of the
laity essex source investigate puritanism essex especially rich illuminate belief_attitude action clergyman also lay_people social_group begin general extent type evidence puritanism amongst clergy discuss reliability accuracy source assess demonstrated equal number benefice puritan clergy know work essex outbreak english_civil_war provide individual case_study clergy order_provide fuller puritanism manifest parish essex two_examines career comparison beliefs extremely representative movement show typical confine largely company refuse way accept religious_change civil war interregnum life_work