Political and religious reactions in the Medway towns of Rochester and Chatham during the English Revolution, 1640-1660
Studies of the political reactions of both the âcountyâ community and various provincial towns during the English Civil War have been tackled over the past fifty years. However no individual modern study has been undertaken of a Kent town or city for this period; neither has an examination of the relationship between two neighbouring strategic towns. This thesis intends to examine the relationship between the cathedral city of Rochester and adjacent dockyard town of Chatham in Kent from 1640 to 1660, which were both vital strategically to maintain the Parliamentarian stranglehold over the county. There is much debate in recent historiography whether those below the gentry had access to and participated in the current ideological debates. This study explores the political and religious reactions of Rochester and Chatham inhabitants to the upheaval of the English Revolution with the contention that those below the gentry were both able to understand the wider discussions and participate in them. The townsfolk were both articulate and able to couch their responses and concerns within a wider ideological framework. They expressed their opinion to central government by a variety of means, exploiting whatever
Clement, C.
D0242 1601-1715. 17th century ; DA0690.C47 Chatham ; DA0690.R6 Rochester
Political and religious reactions in the Medway towns of Rochester and Chatham during the English Revolution, 1640-1660. Studies of the political reactions of both the âcountyâ community and various provincial towns during the English Civil War have been tackled over the past fifty years. However no individual modern study has been undertaken of a Kent town or city for this period; neither has an examination of the relationship between two neighbouring strategic towns. This thesis intends to examine the relationship between the cathedral city of Rochester and adjacent dockyard town of Chatham in Kent from 1640 to 1660, which were both vital strategically to maintain the Parliamentarian stranglehold over the county. There is much debate in recent historiography whether those below the gentry had access to and participated in the current ideological debates. This study explores the political and religious reactions of Rochester and Chatham inhabitants to the upheaval of the English Revolution with the contention that those below the gentry were both able to understand the wider discussions and participate in them. The townsfolk were both articulate and able to couch their responses and concerns within a wider ideological framework. They expressed their opinion to central government by a variety of means, exploiting whatever
political_religious reaction town english_revolution studies political reaction county community various provincial_town english_civil_war tackle however individual modern study undertaken kent town city period neither examination relationship neighbour strategic town intend examine_relationship cathedral city adjacent dockyard town kent vital strategically maintain parliamentarian county much_debate recent historiography whether gentry access participate current ideological debate study_explore political_religious reaction inhabitant upheaval english_revolution contention gentry able wider discussion participate them articulate able couch response concern within_wide ideological framework express opinion central_government variety mean exploit whatever