Description
Book SynopsisDuring the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, the Christian Church will take centre stage once again, as the established religion in England. But why does the Church have such prominence in state affairs, and should it keep this privileged position in 21st Century, multi-faith Britain?
In 1953, millions across the world watched the first televised coronation of a British monarch. What they witnessed was a deeply religious, medieval Christian ritual. Elizabeth II''s reign was profoundly shaped by her faith, expressed not only in her coronation vows but also in her 70 years as Queen, from her role as supreme governor of the Church of England, to her annual Christmas broadcasts, her encounters with Popes, Islam and the other religions. Like her late husband, Prince Philip, the Queen''s faith was described as her ''strength and stay'' amid the turmoil of a nation becoming increasingly secular at the same time as her subjects became increasingly more v
Trade Review
It's a delight to walk the faith trail trodden by monarchs past, the monarch present and the monarch to come with the discriminating mind and poised pen of Catherine Pepinster as one's guide. It's real knowledge; impressively transmitted. Her faith is central to the character of The Queen and fundamental to the understanding of her reign yet in our secular time this is not always fully appreciated. Thanks to Defenders of the Faith, it is now. -- Peter Hennessy
fascinating, thorough and timely...[Pepinster] shines particularly in the task of sketching the faith of the Queen, about which, as she rightly remarks, the stacks of royal biographies make "barely a mention". * Daily Telegraph (5-star review) *
The most valuable part of Defenders of the Faith shows how Queen Elizabeth II has responded to the vastly changed ecumenical and interfaith picture since the Second World War. -- Richard Chartres * Church Times *
an authoritative and timely exploration of the British monarchy * Methodist Recorder *
It's a delight to walk the faith trail trodden by monarchs past, the monarch present and the monarch to come with the discriminating mind and poised pen of Catherine Pepinster as one's guide. It's real knowledge; impressively transmitted. Her faith is central to the character of The Queen and fundamental to the understanding of her reign yet in our secular time this is not always fully appreciated. Thanks to Defenders of the Faith, it is now. -- Peter Hennessy
fascinating, thorough and timely...[Pepinster] shines particularly in the task of sketching the faith of the Queen, about which, as she rightly remarks, the stacks of royal biographies make "barely a mention". * Daily Telegraph (5-star review) *
The most valuable part of Defenders of the Faith shows how Queen Elizabeth II has responded to the vastly changed ecumenical and interfaith picture since the Second World War. -- Richard Chartres * Church Times *
an authoritative and timely exploration of the British monarchy * Methodist Recorder *
