The origin and organization of the covenanting movement during the reign of Charles I, 1625-41 : with a particular reference to the West of Scotland
'Our main feare to have our religion lost, our throats cutted, and our poor countrey made an English province.' As graphically articulated by Robert Baillie, minister of Kilwinning in Ayrshire (and subsequently principal of the university of Glasgow), the apprehensions which motivated the Scots to promulgate the National Covenant on 28 February 1638, were as much nationalist as religious. The primary purpose of this thesis is to argue that although religion, more specifically the imposition of liturgical innovations, was undoubtedly the issue which precipitated the termination of Charles I's thirteen year personal rule, the Scots were collectively reacting against innovatory policies conceived at Court, policies intent on the fundamental restructuring of Scottish government and society as well as the implementation of economic no less than religious uniformity throughout the British Isles. The failure of Charles I was not just a matter of political presentation, though his authoritarian style of government was instrumental in provoking Scots to revolt in defence of civil and religious liberties. The emergence of the Covenanting Movement entailed a substantial rejection of Charles' personal rule both with respect
MacInnes, Allan Iain
JA Political science (General) ; DA Great Britain
The origin and organization of the covenanting movement during the reign of Charles I, 1625-41 : with a particular reference to the West of Scotland. 'Our main feare to have our religion lost, our throats cutted, and our poor countrey made an English province.' As graphically articulated by Robert Baillie, minister of Kilwinning in Ayrshire (and subsequently principal of the university of Glasgow), the apprehensions which motivated the Scots to promulgate the National Covenant on 28 February 1638, were as much nationalist as religious. The primary purpose of this thesis is to argue that although religion, more specifically the imposition of liturgical innovations, was undoubtedly the issue which precipitated the termination of Charles I's thirteen year personal rule, the Scots were collectively reacting against innovatory policies conceived at Court, policies intent on the fundamental restructuring of Scottish government and society as well as the implementation of economic no less than religious uniformity throughout the British Isles. The failure of Charles I was not just a matter of political presentation, though his authoritarian style of government was instrumental in provoking Scots to revolt in defence of civil and religious liberties. The emergence of the Covenanting Movement entailed a substantial rejection of Charles' personal rule both with respect
origin organization covenant movement reign charles particular_reference west_scotland main religion lose poor make english province graphically articulate minister subsequently principal university glasgow apprehension motivate scots promulgate national covenant much nationalist religious primary_purpose argue_although religion specifically imposition liturgical innovation undoubtedly issue precipitate termination charles personal_rule scots collectively react innovatory policy conceive court policy intent fundamental restructuring scottish government society well implementation economic less religious uniformity throughout british_isles failure charles matter political presentation though authoritarian style government instrumental provoke scots revolt defence civil religious liberty emergence movement entail substantial rejection charles personal_rule respect