St. Andrews Studies in Hervormingsgeschiedenis Reeks

This book offers a new perspective to the current debate about popular religious attitudes in Tudor England, laying particular emphasis on the social and secular dimensions of parish life. The argument focuses on the role of the laity and especially on the office of churchwarden. It assesses the rising levels of parish income, the importance of the social context for fund-raising strategies, and the growing expenditure on priests, voluntary activities and administrative duties. The final part discusses the Reformation-related reduction in religious options and the intensifying trend towards oligarchical parish regimes and official local government responsibilities. Wherever possible, the English situation is put into sharper focus by comparisons with local ecclesiastical life on the Continent and appendices provide a detailed financial analysis for a large number of parishes.

Exploring the private practice of religion in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, this collection features interdisciplinary insights from various scholars. It delves into how early modern individuals engaged with their faith outside church settings, examining activities such as Bible-reading, prayer composition, and the interpretation of dreams. The use of physical objects in devotion and the complexities of religious solitude are also scrutinized, revealing the rich tapestry of domestic spirituality during this period.