The Blazing World: A New History of Revolutionary England

Description

A major new history of England's turbulent seventeenth century and how it marked the birth of a new world 'This is a wonderful book, exhaustively researched, vigorously argued and teeming with the furious joy of seventeenth-century life' The Times 'A brilliant, bloody account of England's most dramatic century . . . Thrilling' Telegraph The seventeenth century began as the English suddenly found themselves ruled by a Scotsman, and ended in the shadow of an invasion by the Dutch. Under James I, the country suffered terrorism and witch panics. Under his son Charles, state and society collapsed into civil war, to be followed by an army coup and regicide. For a short time - for the only time in history - England was a republic. There were bitter struggles over faith and no boundaries to politics. In the coffee shops and alehouses of plague-ridden London, new ideas were forged that were angry, populist and almost impossible for monarchs to control. Despite the radical changes that transformed England, few today understand the story of this revolutionary age. Leaders like Oliver Cromwell, Charles II, and William of Orange have been reduced to caricatures, while major turning points like the Civil War and the Glorious Revolution have become shrouded in myth and misunderstanding. Yet the seventeenth century has never been more relevant. The British constitution is once again being contested, and we face a culture war reminiscent of when the Roundheads fought the Cavaliers. From raw politics to religious divisions, civil wars to witch trials, plague to press freedoms, The Blazing World is the story of a strange but fascinating century, told in sparkling detail. Drawing on vast archives, Jonathan Healey refreshes our understanding of public figures while simultaneously taking us into the lives of ordinary people to illuminate a revolutionary society that forged a new world. Cover Half Title Title Copyright Dedication Contents Map Introduction Part One 1603-29 The Hearts of Thy Subjects 1 St James’s Day 2 The Smart of These Encroaching Tyrants 3 A Strange Humming or Buzz 4 If Parliaments Live or Die Part Two 1629-42 Paper Combats 5 The Arch of Order and Government 6 Black Ribbons 7 To Knock Foxes and Wolves on the Head 8 This is a Remonstrance to the People 9 Dark, Equal Chaos Part Three 1642-58 Parchment in the Fire 10 The Sword of His Vengeance 11 Gangrene 12 To Satisfy All Men Acknowledgements Further Reading Notes 1 St James’s Day 2 The Smart of These Encroaching Tyrants 3 A Strange Humming or Buzz 4 If Parliaments Live or Die 5 The Arch of Order and Government 6 Black Ribbons 7 To Knock Foxes and Wolves on the Head 8 This is a Remonstrance to the People 9 Dark, Equal Chaos 10 The Sword of His Vengeance 11 Gangrene 12 To Satisfy All Men 13 Blood Defileth the Land 14 To Translate the Nation from Oppression to Liberty 15 A Good Constable to Keep the Peace of the Parish 16 Providence and Power 17 The Blazing World 18 All the Blessings of Heaven and Earth 19 The Original Sovereign Power of Mr Multitude 20 The Last Revolution Epilogue A Note on the Engraving Image Credits Index