Book contents
- England’s Second Reformation
- Cambridge Studies in Early Modern British History
- England’s Second Reformation
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Abbreviations
- Introduction
- Chapter 1 An Unresolved Reformation
- Chapter 2 Situating the Laudian Reformation
- Chapter 3 Responses to the Laudian Reformation
- Chapter 4 The Abortive Reformation, 1640–1642
- Chapter 5 The End of Episcopalian Reformation
- Chapter 6 Reformation by Negotiation
- Chapter 7 The Westminster Reformation and the Parliamentarian Church of England
- Chapter 8 The Royalist Church of England, 1642–1649
- Chapter 9 Alternative Reformations, 1649–1653
- Chapter 10 The Cromwellian Church
- Chapter 11 Episcopalian Royalism in the 1650s
- Chapter 12 Failed Reformations, 1659–1661
- Chapter 13 The End of Comprehensive Reformation and the Caroline Settlement
- Conclusion
- Index
Chapter 12 - Failed Reformations, 1659–1661
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 October 2021
- England’s Second Reformation
- Cambridge Studies in Early Modern British History
- England’s Second Reformation
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Acknowledgements
- Abbreviations
- Introduction
- Chapter 1 An Unresolved Reformation
- Chapter 2 Situating the Laudian Reformation
- Chapter 3 Responses to the Laudian Reformation
- Chapter 4 The Abortive Reformation, 1640–1642
- Chapter 5 The End of Episcopalian Reformation
- Chapter 6 Reformation by Negotiation
- Chapter 7 The Westminster Reformation and the Parliamentarian Church of England
- Chapter 8 The Royalist Church of England, 1642–1649
- Chapter 9 Alternative Reformations, 1649–1653
- Chapter 10 The Cromwellian Church
- Chapter 11 Episcopalian Royalism in the 1650s
- Chapter 12 Failed Reformations, 1659–1661
- Chapter 13 The End of Comprehensive Reformation and the Caroline Settlement
- Conclusion
- Index
Summary
Chapter 12 challenges the assumption that the ‘Restoration church’ inevitably accompanied the political restoration. It begins by charting the different attempted reformations of 1659-60, from radical Congregationalist proposals to the rapid re-establishment of the 1640s Presbyterian settlement just before the king’s return in 1660. The attempted comprehensive settlements of the following ten months are then carefully analysed with reference to the ‘abortive reformation’ of 1640-41 discussed in Chapter 4, the peace negotiations discussed in Chapter 6, and other past reform initiatives. Analysing the wide range of commentary by puritan divines and more moderate episcopalian writers, it points to elements of possible compromise in areas of doctrine, church government (including the revival of plans for ‘reduced episcopacy’), liturgy and ceremonies, and extemporary prayer, culminating in the remarkable concessions of the Worcester House Declaration of October 1660. Other elements of the abortive reformation of 1640-41 are also observable, such as anti-Laudianism, the robust re-assertion of the Church of England’s links with the foreign Reformed churches, and some notable memorializing of earlier evangelical conformists who had been members of the Williams Committee. It is argued that hindsight has led historians to miss these many continuities with earlier reforming initiatives.
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- England's Second ReformationThe Battle for the Church of England 1625–1662, pp. 437 - 478Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2021