Writing the history of the English monarchy : Franco-British historiographical cultures, 1688-1788
This thesis examines the historiographical cultures of the period of 1688-1788 through an exploration of French historical accounts of English history. At its centre are the French historians Paul de Rapin-Thoyras (1661-1725), AbbeÌ Millot (1726-1785), and AbbeÌ Raynal (1713-1726), whose works were translated into English and published and circulated widely in Britain. The thesis discusses these and other French historians of English history as well as several British historians of English and French history. Through a series of comparative readings, this study illuminates the shared historiographical practices of Britain and France. It is particularly concerned with how historians wrote in the grand manner about English monarchs, from the Norman Conquest in 1066 to the execution of Charles I in 1649. These historians wrote in a neoclassical manner by organising their texts around the lives of key historical figures and presenting them as models of behaviour, using ideas of virtue and vice. This thesis argues that while French historians looked back to the neoclassical mode, they employed it to connect with a British audience by reflecting on contemporary ideals of politics, gender norms, and moral virtues.
Anderson, Alexandra Marie
Writing the history of the English monarchy : Franco-British historiographical cultures, 1688-1788. This thesis examines the historiographical cultures of the period of 1688-1788 through an exploration of French historical accounts of English history. At its centre are the French historians Paul de Rapin-Thoyras (1661-1725), AbbeÌ Millot (1726-1785), and AbbeÌ Raynal (1713-1726), whose works were translated into English and published and circulated widely in Britain. The thesis discusses these and other French historians of English history as well as several British historians of English and French history. Through a series of comparative readings, this study illuminates the shared historiographical practices of Britain and France. It is particularly concerned with how historians wrote in the grand manner about English monarchs, from the Norman Conquest in 1066 to the execution of Charles I in 1649. These historians wrote in a neoclassical manner by organising their texts around the lives of key historical figures and presenting them as models of behaviour, using ideas of virtue and vice. This thesis argues that while French historians looked back to the neoclassical mode, they employed it to connect with a British audience by reflecting on contemporary ideals of politics, gender norms, and moral virtues.
writing history_english monarchy franco british historiographical culture examines historiographical culture period exploration french historical_account english history centre french historian paul whose_work translate_english publish circulate widely britain discus french historian english history well several british historian english_french history series comparative reading study illuminates share historiographical practice britain_france particularly concerned historian write grand manner english monarch norman_conquest execution charles historians write neoclassical manner organise text around life key historical_figure present model behaviour use idea virtue vice argues french historian look back neoclassical mode employ connect british audience reflect_contemporary ideal politics gender_norm moral virtue