On Laudianism: Piety, Polemic and Politics During the Personal Rule of Charles I

Laudianism was a Christian movement and political ideology that aimed to revive the Church of England and address the political crisis of the 1620s. It emphasized the beauty of holiness and sought to reinvigorate the church and state. The movement's controversial nature and strong reactions helped cause the English Civil War, but it also provided a vision of the national church that has been in contention ever since.

Format: Hardback
Length: 654 pages
Publication date: 19 October 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Laudianism was a multifaceted phenomenon that encompassed both a spiritual and political dimension. This comprehensive study delves into the theological foundations and political implications of Laudianism, revealing how it was built upon the recovery of the theological principles and ecclesiastical and pietistic aspirations that undergirded it. Peter Lake demonstrates how the Laudians' renowned fascination with the beauty of holiness harbored a comprehensive vision for the revitalization of both the church and the state. It emerged as a conscious response to the enduring harms of puritanism and the acute political crisis of the 1620s, which in turn resulted from the negative effects of (often puritan) popularity. Consequently, Laudianism produced a coherent account of the theological, liturgical, and political essence of the Church of England.

On Laudianism delves into the intricate details of this highly contentious movement and the robust reactions it elicited, playing a significant role in the outbreak of the English Civil War. However, over the long term, Laudianism provided one of the defining visions of the national church, a contention that has continued to shape the identity of Anglicanism ever since.

Weight: 1026g
Dimension: 162 x 241 x 43 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009306812