Religion and Society in England and Wales, 1689-1800

Presenting source material for the study of religion in England and Wales between the Glorious Revolution and the end of the 18th century, this selection of documents includes extracts from letters and diaries, acts of parliament, sermons, memoirs, religious books, and parish and church records. This material contributes to a broad view of the nature of religion and piety in England during the 18th century. The source material evaluates religion before and after the "Glorious Revolution", the Church of England in the period, religious controversies, nonconformity and dissent, popular religion, Roman Catholicism, and religion and politics. The sources also deal with some of the significant social changes confronting religion in the 18th century, accounts of personal religion, foreign views of English religion, and women's religious observances. Included in the volume is an introduction which places the sources in the context of the 18th century as a whole. It provides the student with a set of source materials which contribute to the study of the state of the churches, and to an understanding of faith and piety in the period.