Synopses & Reviews
Thomas Babington Macaulay (1800 59) was one of the foremost nineteenth-century historians in the Whig tradition, which saw history as a series of developments towards enlightenment and democracy. He believed that the 'Glorious Revolution' of 1688 had preserved England from the constitutional upheavals suffered by much of Europe in 1848. Using a wider range of sources, including popular literature, than was then usual, and written in an accessible, novelistic rather than academic style, this five-volume work proved hugely influential upon contemporary historians and phenomenally successful with the public, although it was not without its critics. The first two volumes, published in 1848, were by 1849 in their third edition, which is reissued here. Volume 1 examines the constitutional history of Britain up to the Restoration, Charles II's reign, fears of a return to an absolutist monarchy, and Whig attempts to exclude the Catholic James II from the succession.
Synopsis
One of the most popular and influential works of nineteenth-century British history, first published between 1848 and 1861.
Synopsis
Thomas Babington Macaulay (1800-59) was one of the foremost historians of the Whig tradition. This hugely influential five-volume work, published between 1848 and 1861 to great popular acclaim (although it was not without its critics), traces the development of constitutional monarchy between 1685 and 1702.
Table of Contents
Volume 1: 1. Introduction; 2. The conduct of those who restored the house of Stuart unjustly censured; 3. Great change in the state of England since 1685; 4. Death of Charles the Second; 5. Whig refugees on the continent; Index. Volume 2: 6. The power of James at the height in the autumn of 1685; 7. William, Prince of Orange; his appearance; 8. Consecration of the Nuncio at St. James's Palace; 9. Change in the opinion of the Tories concerning the lawfulness of Resistance; 10. The flight of James known; great agitation; Index. Volume 3: 11. William and Mary proclaimed in London; 12. State of Ireland at the time of the revolution; the civil power in the hands of the Roman Catholics; 13. The revolution move violent in Scotland than in England; 14. Disputes in the English parliament; 15. The parliament meets; retirement of Halifax; 16. William lands at Carrickfergus, and proceeds to Belfast; Index. Volume 4: 17. Holland; 18. Opening of the parliament; 19. Foreign policy of William; 20. State of the court of Saint Germains; 21. Effect of Mary's death on the continent; 22. Military operations in the Netherlands; Index. Volume 5: Preface; 23. Standing armies; 24. Altered position of the ministry; 25. Trial of Spencer Cowper; Index.