Christian Identity, Piety, and Politics in Early Modern England

This book challenges the adequacy of identifying religious identity with confessional identity and explores the identity of "Christians without names" and their agency as cultural actors in early modern England. It argues that questions of religious identity have dominated historical and literary studies of the period, but seeks to understand the culture that produced a heterogeneous range of believers by attending to particular figures who defined their pious identity by refusing to assume a partisan label. The study highlights the desire to move beyond confessions and the birth of new political rhetorics promising inclusivity for all Christians in England, which gained prominence in the pursuit of a still-imaginary Great Britain.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 480 pages
\n Publication date: 15 July 2021
\n Publisher: University of Notre Dame Press
\n

The Reformation brought about a complex and multifaceted transformation of religious identity, particularly among Christians, who faced both internal conflicts and external wars. In this context, Robert E. Stillman's book explores the identity of "Christians without names" and their role as cultural actors in shaping early modern religious, political, and poetic history.

Stillman argues that questions of religious identity have dominated historical and literary studies of the early modern period for over a decade. However, his primary objective is not to resolve these controversies by negotiating new definitions of English Protestants, Catholics, or "moderate" and "radical" Puritans. Instead, he aims to provide a deeper understanding of the culture that produced such a diverse range of believers by focusing on specific figures such as Antonio del Corro, John Harington, Henry Constable, and Aemilia Lanyer. These individuals defined their pious identity by refusing to align themselves with any particular confession, thereby challenging the prevailing notion of confessional allegiance.

The study of these figures reveals that their desire to transcend confessions was driven by both pious motivations and a critical scrutiny of religious practices. It led to the emergence of new political rhetorics that promised inclusivity for all Christians in England and gained particular prominence in the pursuit of a still-imaginary Great Britain. This book is a valuable contribution to the field of early modern literary studies, as well as history and religious studies. It offers insights into the complex interplay between religious identity, piety, and politics in early modern England and sheds light on the ways in which individuals and communities negotiated their faith in the face of changing circumstances.

\n Weight: 814g\n
Dimension: 160 x 236 x 34 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780268200411\n \n