Full Description
This volume is part of the "Seminar Studies in History" series which aims to provide concise analyses of complex issues and problems in important A level modern history topics. They use supporting documents designed to give students a clear account of historical facts and an understanding of the central themes and differing interpretations. The present book attempts to provide a survey of the social history of early modern England 1590-1720, drawing on recent work concerning the nature of, and the changes in, English society during that period. The author traces the developments of the new approach to and redefinition of social history and then considers the structure of early modern English society. Fundamental changes during the period, such as changes in the material conditions of people and in the structure of society, and changes in people's beliefs and modes of thought, are treated separately. The work concludes with a view of English society of the early 18th century as one which was already modern in some of its features and which had already broken out of its medieval mould.Documents from a wide range of sources are used, including the works of contemporary commentators and travellers, their diaries and letters, official records and contemporary plays and poems.
Contents
Part 1 The structure of early modern English societyin early modern England; geographical mobility; an agrarian society; contrasting communities; family and kinship - the English "marriage pattern", relations between members of the family and kinsfolk; local communities and the nation. Part 2 Changing material conditions: population fluctuations and changing social fortunes - population trends, price trends, "gentlemen" - the growth and consolidation of the land-owning classes 1550-1640 and 1640-1750, "yeomen" and "husbandmen" - the decline of the English small farmer, labourers, servants and vagrants, craftsmen and tradesmen, merchants and professional people - the growth of "the monied interest"; poverty and dearth; affluence and prosperity - the emergence of an urban society, a "consumer society"?. Part 3 Changing ideas: education and literacy; the impact of protestantism 1550-1625 and 1625-1750; the scientific revolution. Part 4: Assessment. Part 5: Documents.
