Description
Book Synopsis'Puritan' was originally a term of contempt, and 'Puritanism' has often been stereotyped by critics and admirers alike. As a distinctive and particularly intense variety of early modern Reformed Protestantism, it was a product of acute tensions within the post-Reformation Church of England. But it was never monolithic or purely oppositional, and its impact reverberated far beyond seventeenth-century England and New England. This Companion broadens our understanding of Puritanism, showing how students and scholars might engage with it from new angles and uncover the surprising diversity that fermented beneath its surface. The book explores issues of gender, literature, politics and popular culture in addition to addressing the Puritans' core concerns such as theology and devotional praxis, and coverage extends to Irish, Welsh, Scottish and European versions of Puritanism as well as to English and American practice. It challenges readers to re-evaluate this crucial tradition within its w
Trade Review'This is a particularly important volume that takes students beyond the traditional views of Puritanism to demonstrate its intense diversity.' The Historical Association
'… no recent survey has done justice to the recent flowering of scholarship. This book now fills that gap admirably. It brings together essays from 20 authors, who focus their remarkable expertise in short but scholarly chapters.' Church Times
'For … spiritual and … academic students of Puritanism, Coffey and his co-editor, Paul C. H. Lim, have compiled a reference work of exceptional scope and balance.' Church History
' … a fine addition to the series and a cause for celebration …' The Journal of Ecclesiastical History
'… a useful one-volume compendium of a notorious subject … an important work…' Leif Dixon, English Historical Review
'… the whole volume is an excellent introduction to early modern Puritanism which demonstrates its rich diversity, impact and legacy in this period and beyond.' Kenneth Gibson, History
'… an excellent overview … both a perfect introduction for the undergraduate student and useful to the specialist.' Kyle DiRoberto, Sixteenth Century Journal
Table of ContentsIntroduction John Coffey and Paul C. H. Lim; Part I. English Puritanism: 1. Antipuritanism Patrick Collinson; 2. The growth of English Puritanism John Craig; 3. Early Stuart Puritanism Tom Webster; 4. The Puritan revolution John Morrill; 5. Later Stuart Puritanism John Spurr; Part II. Beyond England: 6. Puritanism and the Continental Reformed Churches Anthony Milton; 7. The Puritan experiment in New England, 1630–60 Francis J. Bremer; 8. New England, 1660–1730 David D. Hall; 9. Puritanism in Ireland and Wales Crawford Gribben; 10. The problem of Scotland's Puritans Margo Todd; Part III. Major Themes: 11. Practical divinity and spirituality Charles Hambrick-Stowe; 12. Puritan polemical divinity and doctrinal controversy Dewey D. Wallace, Jr.; 13. Puritans and the Church of England: historiography and ecclesiology Paul C. H. Lim; 14. Radical Puritanism, c.1558–1660 David R. Como; 15. Puritan millenarianism in old and New England Jeffrey K. Jue; 16. The Godly and popular culture Alexandra Walsham; 17. Puritanism and gender Ann Hughes; 18. Puritanism and literature N. H. Keeble; Part IV. Puritanism and Posterity: 19. Puritan legacies John Coffey; 20. The historiography of Puritanism Peter Lake.
