Images of godly magistracy in early Stuart England

Nyamapfene, Kingston (2013). Images of godly magistracy in early Stuart England. University of Birmingham. M.Phil.

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Abstract

This thesis deals with contemporary conceptions of ‘godly’ magistracy, or governance by godly men, in early Stuart England. In comparison with the historiography concerned with godly magistracy on continental Europe the body of work on godly magistracy in post-reformation, Calvinist England is relatively thin. Previously published research has tended to focus on the theoretical aspects of godly magistracy in England. This study follows in that tradition. But while previous English studies of the subject have focused on specific individuals and their support for godly magistracy or on godly regimes in specific geographical locations, this study aims to present a broad exploration of the central question, How was godly magistracy imagined by its proponents in early Stuart England? The strong association between puritanism and a support for godly magistracy makes it possible to use the findings of this study to address broad questions about puritan attitudes to matters of governance and politics. This in turn makes it possible to gain a deeper understanding of the puritan mindset, thereby offering important insights into the identities of puritans. The methodology of this study implicitly questions the sustainability of trying to define a puritan conclusively, and instead suggests that attempting to understand puritan identities is a more productive way of analysing Puritanism in early modern England.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Masters by Research > M.Phil.)

Award Type:

Masters by Research > M.Phil.

Supervisor(s):