The Reformation of the English Parish Church
Exploring the Transformation of Sacred Spaces
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Cambridge University Press
Published:6th Nov '14
Currently unavailable, and unfortunately no date known when it will be back
This paperback is available in another edition too:
- Hardback£89.99(9780521762861)
This book offers a detailed investigation into the transformations of English parish churches during the Reformation, revealing their historical significance and cultural impact.
This comprehensive exploration delves into the profound changes that the English parish church underwent during the English Reformation. In The Reformation of the English Parish Church, Robert Whiting meticulously examines a wealth of documentary evidence, including court records, wills, and church wardens' accounts. He combines this with an analysis of the material remains found in churches today, such as screens, fonts, paintings, monuments, and windows, to unveil the intricate transformations these ancient buildings experienced.
The sixteenth century marked a pivotal moment for the parish churches of England, as they became the focal point of religious and cultural upheaval. Whiting's investigation not only reveals how these buildings were altered but also uncovers the motivations behind these changes. He explores the reverence Catholics held for church artefacts and contrasts it with the Protestant suspicion and hostility that emerged in subsequent years. This nuanced perspective provides a deeper understanding of the complex relationship between religion and architecture during this transformative period.
Richly illustrated, The Reformation of the English Parish Church highlights both the destructive and creative acts that accompanied the long Reformation. Whiting's work is essential for anyone interested in the intersection of religion, culture, and history, shedding new light on the significance of parish churches in shaping English identity and community during a time of profound change.
'We can stand back and marvel at the scope of the author's achievement … Now we discover what Dr Whiting has spent the past 12 years doing: acquiring an amazingly detailed knowledge of England's parish churches, and of how they changed between 1530 and 1640, so that he can read the story of the Reformation as it was inscribed in those churches' fabric … This is a book which will be enjoyed most as a box of treasures, a guide to the marvels still hidden away in England's parish churches … As a guide to what survives, to what was lost, and why, this book has no rival.' Alec Ryrie, The Tablet
'The modest title of this book conceals the fact that Robert Whiting has provided a cutting-edge contribution to the study of the English Reformation … Reflecting recent historical interest in material culture, the text adds an important dimension to the Reformation debate.' The Times Higher Education Supplement
'Robert Whiting's meticulous investigation of … changes [to the interiors of parish churches] offers both in-depth descriptions of … works of art, furniture, and other goods as well as analyses of the motivations that led parishioners to jettison once favored objects while they embraced new ones … a valuable guide to the material transformations of England's parish churches over many decades, with abundant details about artifacts themselves as well as the churchwardens, donors, artisans, and other people who effected or resisted these alterations.' Kathleen Kamerick, Journal of British Studies
'… meticulously researched, packed with useful information, and beautifully illustrated.' The Times Literary Supplement
'… a wonderful guidebook to the various and often unfamiliar aspects of the interior design and decor of English churches during the Reformation that will be of use to scholars and students alike.' Ronald H. Fritze, The Historian
'This book is meticulously researched and carries an excellent bibliography.' Journal of the Catholic Archives Society
ISBN: 9781107460355
Dimensions: 241mm x 170mm x 18mm
Weight: 560g
328 pages