Birth, Marriage, and Death: Ritual, Religion, and the Life-Cycle in Tudor and Stuart England [Hardcover]

Both Cressy (Religion and Society in Early Modern England, Routledge, 1996) and Morrill (editor of The Birth of the Elizabethan Age, Blackwell, 1993) provide current scholarly insights into early modern England. Cressy writes for the specialist, while Morrill writes for the educated reader. Cressy's study of the life cycle in Tudor-Stuart England should be read by all serious students of the period interested in history from the bottom up. This work remains entertaining while depicting the pace of social change in the ordinary activities of real people and the divisive social issues that caused conflict among the 16th- and 17th-century English. Cressy provides solid evidence of the key importance ritual played as society coped with implementing the Reformation, and he demonstrates his scholarly depth by a judicious recognition of the diversity of experiences and viewpoints found in early modern England. Morrill has assembled an impressive list of scholars to provide both a chronological and a topical overview of the period. To broaden his work's appeal, he includes a high-quality collection of color plates and appropriate maps; he also offers useful study helps in his chronology, glossary, and in-depth bibliography. Recommended for academic reading and reference collections in liberal arts colleges.?Susan A. Stussy, Kansas City, Kan.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

`the volume will remain the essential beginning point for all future study of life-cycle rituals. It is useful for undergraduates and fundamental for all serious students and scholars.' Michael J. Galgano, Religious Studies Review, Vol 27, No 2, April 2001

`In this richly detailed and beautifully written study, Cressy examines the life-cycle religious rituals against the backdrop of the broader social and cultural tensions transforming England in early modern times ... The work soars in its thorough explanation of each ritual, unique cases, and changing practice over time.' Michael J. Galgano, Religious Studies Review, Vol 27, No 2, April 2001

`an engaging and scholarly study ... although this book claims to be social history (of which it is a fine example), it is so much more besides. The political, religious, cultural, and intellectual historian will be able to take a great deal away from this book, almost as much as his social colleague.' Andrew Chibi, Reformation.

`By taking as his parameters the late-Tudorbethan Reformation period and the aftermath of the glorious revolution, Cressy has provided the context that a lot of social history lacks. And what action-packed context it is!' Andrew Chibi, Reformation.

`A good book? Certainly. An edifying read? Without doubt. To be recommended? Highly and enthusiastically.' Andrew Chibi, Reformation.

`the great service that Cressy has done us by collecting this material and mapping the ritual of early modern England in such fascinating detail.' John Spurr, Besprechungen.

`Well versed in and eloquent about the theological implications of rituals and the limitations of social theory, Cressy allows neither to distract him from his primary task of describing these rituals in all of their rich diversity. His book is a treasure trove of information about early modern practices ... He is resourceful in finding ways to take his readers into private spaces like the birth room; he is innovative in his chapter on churching ... he is lucid and authoritative on subjects such as 'clandestine marriage' or puritan objections to Prayer Book ritual. Cressy will recount an incident - whether a rowdy funeral or a secret marriage - and then offer several possible interpretations without imposing a single definitive view.' John Spurr, Besprechungen.

`Professor Cressy has woven his marvellous tapestry of the experience of birth, marriage and death in Tudor and Stuart England.' John Spurr, Besprechungen.

`This is a big book on a huge subject ... and all for L25.' Christopher Haigh and Alison Wall, Journal of Ecclesiastical History, Vol.50, No.3.

`There is a fascination, in the detail - rich, raw, well-marshalled, sometimes funny, often poignant.' Christopher Haigh and Alison Wall, Journal of Ecclesiastical History, Vol.50, No.3.