England's Second Reformation: The Battle for the Church of England 1625-1662

England's Second Reformation reconsiders the religious upheavals of mid-seventeenth-century England, showing how they were integral to the Church of England's early history and forced all groups to adapt their ideas and practices. It presents a compelling case for rethinking England's religious history as a revolutionary second Reformation.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 542 pages
Publication date: 21 September 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

England's Second Reformation is a comprehensive reassessment of the religious upheavals that occurred in mid-seventeenth-century England, placing them within the broader context of the Church of England and its earlier Reformations. In contrast to the conventional view that the Civil War years represented a disruptive and destructive period, Anthony Milton argues that they were in fact integral to (and indeed the climax of) the early history of the Church of England. Both parliamentarian and royalist factions sought to alter the pre-war church, and as a result, all religious groups were compelled to adapt their religious ideas and practices in response to the tumultuous events of the time.

Furthermore, all parties involved perceived themselves and their preferred reforms as being in continuity with the Church's earlier history. By framing this as a revolutionary "second Reformation," Milton compellingly suggests that it necessitated the involvement of everyone and challenged them to reevaluate the established church and its historical understanding. This perspective offers a fresh and insightful perspective on England's religious history, challenging traditional narratives and prompting a deeper exploration of the complex and multifaceted nature of this period.

Weight: 794g
Dimension: 153 x 231 x 35 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781316647295