England in the 1690s: Revolution, Religion and War

The 1690s is one of the most poorly understood decades in English history. This book presents a fresh interpretation of the period, reconstructing the reign of William III through the eyes and in the words of those who lived through it. Within the broad thematic structure, the author provides a narrative thread to guide readers new to the period. He employs a wide range of sources including popular ballads, correspondence, diaries, pamphlets, sermons, poems, memoirs, plays and parliamentary debates. Rose demonstrates that the 1690s, rather than marking the beginning of a placid long eighteenth century, was a decade deeply colored by the experience and memory of the fractious seventeenth century past. The authors approach not only gives a new flavor to the 1690s, it also reveals much about the impact of the Williamite revolution.

List pf Illustrations. Preface and Acknowledgements. List of Abbreviations. Note to the Reader. 1. William the Conqueror. 2. King William and his Contemporaries. 3. Parties and Politics. 4. King William′s War. 5. The Church of England. 6. Godly Reformation. 7. Scotland and Ireland. 8. A Remembrance of Times Past. Notes. Index.

Dr. Craig Rose was educated at the universities of Bristol and Cambridge and was Adrian Research Fellow at Darwin College, Cambridge. A qualified barrister, he is now deputy editor of a legal magazine.

"Rose seeks to provide ′a student–friendly general book on the period,′ and succeeds admirably...The result is a wealth of illustration from pamphlets, poems, sermons and other contemporary publications." English Historical Review<!––end––> "In Craig Rose the reign of William and Mary has found an able interpreter, one who is equally at home exploring the financial complications of European warfare and the ecclesiastical complications of Protestant disagreement. Providing a balanced survey of ideas and events, Rose has written the most ambitious book about the decade since Henry Horwitz′s study of its parliaments... this is a compelling and readable work ... students and teaches of British history and Literature will find it indispensable." H–Net Reviews