Anti-Jacobitism and the English People, 1714-1746

During the Jacobite uprisings in Britain in 1715 and 1745, supporters of the exiled Stuart claimant posed a significant military challenge to the Hanoverian dynasties. This book explores the responses of those loyal to the Hanoverian dynasty, including the clergy, lords lieutenant, official bodies, press, and common people, who organized events, gave loyalist sermons, and acted violently against Jacobite sympathizers. Their efforts were often decisive and showed that the dynasty had not lost popular support.

Format: Hardback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 22 July 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

In the years 1715 and 1745, Britain faced significant military challenges to the thrones of George I and George II, posed by Jacobite supporters of the exiled Stuart claimant. This book delves into the responses of those loyal to the Hanoverian dynasty, often overlooked or disparaged in comparison to the military perspective or that of the Jacobites. These loyalists included clergymen who delivered loyalist sermons, accompanied volunteer forces in their battles against the Jacobites, and even bravely confronted the Jacobite forces in person. The lords lieutenant organized militia and volunteer forces to maintain the status quo. Official bodies such as corporations, parishes, quarter sessions, and sheriffs organized events to celebrate loyalist occasions and dealt with local Jacobite sympathizers. The press, both national and regional, remained uniformly loyal. Furthermore, the middling and common people took action, often violently, against those perceived as hostile to the status quo. While the effectiveness of these bodies had its limits, they were decisive at times and demonstrated that the Hanoverian dynasty did not lack popular support during its crises.

This volume is a crucial resource for anyone interested in the Jacobite rebellions and the early English Georgian state, church, and society. It sheds light on the diverse range of responses and strategies employed by loyalists to defend the monarchy and uphold the established order. The book also highlights the importance of considering the broader social and cultural context in which these events unfolded, as it provides a deeper understanding of the complex dynamics that shaped early eighteenth-century Britain.

Weight: 680g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367634032