Early Modern England: a Social History

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Introduction

The work of J. Sharpe on social history of England encompasses traditional concerns and modern concerns that have dominated this subject. Sharpe has researched on existing methods that study history and documented methods on new history.

An investigation on the new and old concern has facilitated skilful mastery of social history by the historians. The article below gives an overview of the social history of modern England with reference to James Sharpe.

In his book, Sharpe brings out an attention-grabbing view about traditional methods of studying social history. He views traditional methods as not detailed enough for such serious topics that are currently of concern. His view is that these methods seem narrow for research that concerns social history.

According to him, the works of Whig and Marxist are meaningless because they are based on prejudice, an aspect that is not acceptable in the modern society. He proposes that a new statistical method based on data analysis should be established to give reliable and consistent results regarding the issue of social history (Sharpe, 264).

His work, just like that of others raises concerns that need answers but such answers are not given by the author. In fact, he leaves out information that would give solutions to questions of concern within his work.

For instance, within his work, one of the chapters has the same views as those of Whig about the politics of England (the government during this period was building towards the Prime- Ministership of the Duke of Newcastle and William Pitt and the pinnacle of Parliamentary supremacy of today).

Contrary to this statement, he warns the readers on accepting evidence without scrutinizing it thoroughly. Professor Sharpe does not propose a theory that would be used to tackle concerns relating to social history. This may make it difficult for other historians to come up with solutions during their time of doing research. His main problem is that of giving contradicting information that would confuse the reader.

An example that involves contradicting information is the one that enlightens the readers on witchcraft in England. At first, he argues out that at a time in England witchcraft was acceptable in everyday life. It was practiced by educated people, and those ranked lower in the society.

He then goes on to contradict this statement by asserting that witchcraft and other issues that involved superstitions together with canning men, was entirely for the poor individuals within the society. Undermining on the same subject is also reflected by him stating that laws criminalizing witchcraft were reviewed in the 1930s. These contradictions may be the foundation for revision and may not necessarily reflect opinions of Sharpe.

The publishing of other edition that included aspects left out in earlier publications may have contributed contradiction in this book. At times, incorporating issues that were not earlier considered in already written work becomes difficult than when they would be included at the beginning. This would be a reflection of the way of carrying out the revision within the book.

Another difficulty that arises in this book is that, Sharpe makes comparison between the ages. In such issues, he tries to make the reader understand “people in the past”. He has also made comparisons between prosecutions made on Treason by Tudor to the one by Hanoverian Monarchs and made a conclusion.

The conclusion is that, Elizabethan 1 seemed ‘sensitive’. The fact that he is also a victim of hindsight together with comparison undermines his authority to a great extent. The fact that he ignore Scotland and Wales and goes on to pick England, raise difficulties that would not be solved.

This is because the topic in the book was affected by the two states. For instance, the problems experienced during King James’ reign affected England and thus it was not appropriate to leave it out when documenting facts about England. Similarly, Ireland depended on England in terms of money and troops and thus there was the need to consider it rather than leaving it out within the context of England.

Chapter one focuses on Ultra Tories as defenders. It is documented that they were the most dedicated defenders of the Protestant Constitutional Orthodoxy. A problem with them is that they failed to give justice to concerns that they were capable of doing. It is documented that they got worried more than the Catholics and the parliament that was to be formed.

They were concerned with other things that were not their responsibility. For instance, they were at the fore front in criticizing the formation of a common currency after the war. They were concerned about the implications this would have on them and the country at large.

They were also suspicious of the effect that would occur in mechanization. This was because mechanization had made activities such as farming easier for the farmers. There were other instruments that were highly associated with the social well being of the people. For example, the Quarterly Review and Blackwood’s Edinburgh Magazine pressed to have significant reforms and were against the issue of retrenchments and other social effects on citizens (Sharpe 650).

Chapter two concerns political economy issues within England. The concerns were brought into the limelight by Jane Marcet and Hannah More. These two writers promoted the notions on political economy and its theories. Through them, various aspects were achieved within England. The issues achieved include professional government that carried its work efficiently and it enabled the development of the educated class of individuals.

Marcet justified the issue of wealth distribution within England and this made her the pioneer of Classical Political Economy. She also provided the rich and educated with viable ideas on the ways of rationalizing their privileges within the nation. Her book, “John Hopkins’s Notions on Political Economy” was aimed at molding the masses to understand the responsibilities they have in society and their position in the same.

This would be through sincere tales within the book. For instance, it was through sincere tales that individuals were made aware of roles of labourers in the well being of the nation. Through her writing work, she was able to change the British Social Welfare System (BSWS) introduced by New Poor Law. Hence, her works enabled many individuals to understand an assortment of aspects of the economy as well as achieve self development in their lives.

Chapter three focus on education theory and practice in early modern England. Here, mathematics and English were considered, and their importance emphasized. The sixteenth century was subjugated by conventional forms of thought. This resulted in plays of different genre and new vocabulary for poetic related presentations.

Through this, there were numerous ways of thinking and formulation of ideas. People were enlightened on various issues such as technology and the art of writing. Concerns such as theatrical performance are also addressed in this chapter. This enabled the self development of individual talents within people and to some; it enhanced their profession or careers.

Theatre performances are common in England and which would be attributed to the theory, and practice employed during the sixteenth century. Sharpe also looks at functions of Early Modern Stage together with performance theories in this book. These were the key features that made England be where it is today.

Chapter four encompasses the organization of the book trade within England. It concentrates on the role of stationer’s Company within England. The company involved itself in distribution of books within England. It would distribute books to other bookshops from where individuals would buy them.

This ensured that people got materials to read and were knowledgeable in various issues that related to life or even their own country. This company was established in 1403 and was responsible for giving books copyrights until 1709. It carried the following activities within England; printing, publishing, advertising and digital media generation. It also conducted activities such as film and video production, photocopying paper making and making of office products.

The company was able to protect patents of literature works by various people and this enhanced competition. People were encouraged to come up with new writings that would compete and be recognizable by the state. This contributed to the growth of the theatre industry in England and writing of many books that made research easy within learning institutions. The activities of the stationer’s company formed the foundation of modern education in England because education and other related activities were monopolized by the company.

In chapter five, various aspects regarding food production are looked into in details. The role of the state in the provision of cheap food for its citizen is clearly examined in this book. The government achieves this by providing the farmers with equipment for farming and enhanced yield production.

There is also introduction of mechanization that would be aimed at mass production of food by the use of machine. The use of fertilizers and pesticides was employed to promote production of better produce and with minimal losses due to pests and diseases. Feeding programs were developed with the introduction of zero grazing and artificial insemination. This aimed at increased quality yields at minimum cost in farming activities.

Chapter six looks at the state of mind of individuals. There are issues of superstition or witchcraft in this society. They are related to the poor in society who practice it for reasons that would be related to money. There are also cunning men who are portrayed as being poor in the society. They would be doing this to earn a living for themselves. These were viewed as vices in England in the sixteenth century.

Chapter seven encompasses Major Maastricht and Conservative Division as members of the government. England has been dominated by two parties, which are the, Conservatives and the Labourers. These two have rivaled and have caused many changes in the government due to their activities.

For example, the Conservatives enjoyed when the Labour members divided and split. This led to sacking of a number of cabinet ministers. Similarly, the rebellion in the Maastricht led to the many defeats on the Conservatives in parliament. Therefore, this chapter deals with the politics of parliament in England that are based on party leaders.

This chapter also informs the reader on the formation of the government at initial stages up to the legacy of William Pitt and the rise of Gorge (I). It also encompasses events such as the Civil war and the Great Fire of London that affected the nation at one point in history.

The last two chapters which are chapter, eight and chapter nine looks at the political issues. Chapter eight gives Sharpe’s reflection on Stuart Parliamentary history. It looks at how Robert Crosfield wrote a paper that sought to fight corruption within the government. Through him, the freedom of the press was brought out in relation to what it was capable of printing. His work raises a question that seeks to know whether he was doing the work for the public interest or his own interest.

Chapter nine, on the other hand, looks at the role played by Sir Robert Cotton in Stuart Politics (ST). Cotton is remembered for what he did for others. He collected manuscripts; both for politics and scholarly works. He found a way of doing things when it was necessary and would be referred as’ influence’ by other people. It was him that ensured that there was a balance between studies concerning the history and use of history in fighting; weapon. Because of his work, a library was set up and named after his name.

This book provides students with a general social history of England and can be used for educational purposes. There exist inconsistencies in this book that are subject to revision, but the book is invaluable to all learners of social history.

Works Cited

Sharpe, James. Early Modern England: A Social History. London: Arnold, 2003.

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Early Modern England: a Social History

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