Synopses & Reviews
The Stuart Age is widely recognised as the best general book on the period. Now in its fourth edition, it provides a definitive and up-to-date history of England's century of civil war and revolution.
Barry Coward addresses the major themes of the time, from the causes of the English Civil War and the nature of the English Revolution, to the aims and achievements of Oliver Cromwell, the continuation of religious passion in the politics of Restoration England, and the impact on Britain of the Glorious Revolution. The book also covers the relevant history of Scotland and Ireland, and gives comprehensive treatment of economic, social, intellectual, and political and religious history.
This fully revised edition includes the following features:
- carefully selected illustrations integrated into the text
- a new larger format
- text boxes covering key ideas, events and figures
- up-to-date introductions to the most important historiographical issues
The late Barry Coward was Emeritus Professor of the School of History, Classics and Archaeology at Birkbeck College, University of London. His many publications include Oliver Cromwell (2000) and A Companion to Stuart Britain (2008).
Previous edition reviews:
the most comprehensive and up-to-date textbook on Stuart England
John Miller in The Times Higher Educational Supplement
an intelligible, enjoyable and thorough survey of a period that has become so baffling to the newcomer
Blair Worden in The Journal of Ecclesiastical History
What an excellent book this is. The second edition provides without doubt the most up-to-date and most judicious overview of the seventeenth century we are likely to have for many years
Jeremy Gregory in History Today
Synopsis
The Stuart Age, now in its fourth edition, provides a leading, definitive history of England's century of Civil War and Revolution.
Synopsis
The Stuart Age provides an accessible introduction to many major themes of the period including: the causes of the English Civil War, the nature of the English Revolution; the aims and achievements of Oliver Cromwell; the continuation of religious passion in the politics of Restoration England; and the impact on Britain of the Glorious Revolution. In it Coward also covers the relevant history of Scotland and Ireland and gives comprehensive treatment of economic, social, intellectual, as well as political and religious history.
About the Author
Barry Coward is an Emeritus Professor of History at Birkbeck College, University of London. His other publications include Oliver Cromwell (Longman, 1991) and his most recent books are The Cromwellian Protectorate (Manchester UP, 2002) and A Companion to Stuart Britain (Blackwell, 2003).
Table of Contents
List of maps, figures and genealogical tables
Acknowledgements
Preface to the fourth edition
Abbreviations and short titles
PART ONE: EARLY STUART ENGLAND, 16031640
Chapter 1: The economy of early Stuart England
Chapter 2: Society in early Stuart England
Chapter 3: The Elizabethan constitution
PART TWO: THE REIGNS OF THE EARLY STUARTS, 1603-1640
Chapter 4: The survival of the Elizabethan constitution, 1603-1621
Chapter 5: The breakdown of the Elizabethan constitution, 1621-1640
PART THREE: THE ENGLISH REVOLUTION, 1640-1660
Chapter 6: The making of the English Revolution, 1640-1649
Chapter 7: The search for a new settlement, 1649-1660
PART FOUR: THE REIGNS OF CHARLES II AND JAMES II, 1660-1688
Chapter 8: The failure of 'the Restoration Settlement', 1660-1667
Chapter 9: 'Catholic' or 'Cavalier' policies, 1668-1674
Chapter 10: Anti-Catholicism and exclusion, 1674-1681
Chapter 11: The trend towards absolutism, 1681-1688
PART FIVE: THE REIGNS OF WILLIAM III AND QUEEN ANNE 1689-1714
Chapter 12. The reign of William III, 1689-1702
Chapter 13: The reign of Queen Anne, 1702-1714
PART SIX: LATER STUART ENGLAND: CHANGE AND CONTINUITY
Chapter 14: Change
Chapter 15: Continuity: 1714 - the end of the Middle Ages?
Bibliographical note
Appendix: Timeline
Index