Gender, Family and Religious History in the Modern Era
In 1814 Anna Braithwaite was 'called to the ministry' as a Quaker female. But what did that mean? Being 'called to the ministry' in many denominations in this period entailed a rigorous process by which candidates were evaluated by members at the ordaining church, or a panel of churchmen such as a presbytery. For Baptists... Continue Reading →
In the nineteenth century, ministry took many forms...and whether women could or could not participate often depended upon the context and, indeed, the denomination in which they worshipped. The question of women in ministry is not the point of this post. Women certainly did exercise various forms of leadership... even in denominations in which it... Continue Reading →
In January 1762 the parish clerk at St Sepulchre's in Cock Lane, Richard Parsons, invited a genteel man to come and witness a terrifying atrocity taking place in his home. An inexplicable haunting, anchored to his young 12 year old daughter, was ensuing. The young girl reported communications with Fanny Lynes, who wished to be... Continue Reading →
Although the value of 'reading for pleasure' has become part and parcel of contemporary reading culture, this much promoted past-time, to children and adults alike, was not always considered so laudable. In fact, in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, as the novel proliferated, numerous people and groups sought to repress this increasingly popular... Continue Reading →
Around the year 1170, Chretiens de Toyes completed his first romance narrative - the story of Erec and Enide. In this long poem, originally constructed in Old French, Erec (a knight) marries his beloved Enide, and feels such strong love for her that he begins to neglect his 'manly' duties. The story was new for... Continue Reading →
A topic that seems to crop up every so often amongst my religious primary sources in the 19th century is an interesting topic which has little or nothing to do with my PhD research on love & religion - yet is too fascinating a topic not to notice. This is the topic of mesmerism, or... Continue Reading →
Married couples often wrote letters to one another while physically apart; reasons for travel were often catalysed by the desire to see family and friends, or travelling for business (often the men in these two denominations). Letters, while limiting and restrictive in copious ways, offer us a small glimpse into the experience, ruminations, and expectations... Continue Reading →
A quick primer on early 19th century romance through the example of two bachelors. Both stubborn, passionate, and persevering towards the objects of their affection. However, one seemed to garner greater success in his relationships than the other. What sets them apart? First, an introduction: Mr C The first, a Congregationalist minister seeks a bride... Continue Reading →
In the 18th and 19th centuries 'Old Dissent' was a term used to describe those congregations who had roots in the 16th and 17th centuries. The following summaries below offers a brief introduction, as a prerequisite to further posts which will incorporate the family/gender dispositions of each group. Congregationalists The eldest members of English 'Old... Continue Reading →
The Origins of the Myth Who was Father Christmas? The real St. Nick, was a humanitarian known for his good deeds and his unassailable piety.[i] St Nick was first popularized through the writing of Washington Irving in Irving's History of New York.[ii] A mythology about this man was developed by Clement Clark Moore who radically... Continue Reading →
