Puritan Gentry Besieged 1650-1700

What became of the Puritan gentry after the civil war? Trevor Cliffe examines the struggle of the Puritan families of England to preserve the old values in an era of tremendous political and religious upheaval.

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The latter half of the seventeenth century saw the Puritan families of England struggle to preserve the old values in an era of tremendous political and religious upheaval. Even non-conformist ministers were inclined to be pessimistic about the endurance of `godliness' - Puritan attitudes and practices - among the upper classes. Based on a study of family papers and other primary resources, Trevor Cliffe's study reveals that in many cases, Puritan county families were playing a double game: outwardly in communion with the Church, they often employed non-conformist chaplains, and attended nonconformist meetings.