Hunting and the Politics of Violence Before the English Civil War

A major contribution to debates about the origins of the Civil War, this study of English forests and hunting from the late sixteenth century to the early 1640s explores their significance in the symbolism and effective power of royalty and the nobility in early modern England. Blending social, cultural and political history, Dan Beaver examines the interrelationships among four local communities to explain the violent political conflicts in the forests in the years leading up to the civil war. Adopting a micro-historical approach, the book explores how local politics became bound up with national political and ideological divisions. The author argues that, from the early seventeenth century, a politics of land use in forests and other hunting reserves involved its participants in a sophisticated political discourse, touching on the principles of law and justice, the authority of the crown and the nature of a commonwealth.

List of contents

1. Introduction: hunting, violence, and the origins of the English Revolution; 2. Blood, sacrifice, and order: meanings of the forest and hunt in culture, politics, and society; 3. Honor, property, and the symbolism of the hunt in Stowe, 1590-1642; 4. Ancient liberties and the politics of the commonweal in Waltham forest, 1608-42; 5. Royal honor, Great Parks, and the commonweal in Windsor forest, 1603-42; 6. Venison and the politics of honor in Corse Lawn Chase, 1620-42; 7. Conclusion: royal symbols, forest politics, and popular politics in Early Modern England.

Summary

This study of English forests and hunting from the late sixteenth century to the early 1640s explores their significance in the symbolism and effective power of royalty and nobility in early modern England. Dan Beaver examines how local politics became bound up with national political and ideological divisions.

Product details

• Authors: Daniel C. Beaver, Daniel C. (Pennsylvania State University) Beaver, BEAVER DANIEL C, Beaver Daniel C.
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press ELT
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 04.10.2012
• EAN: 9781107407701
• ISBN: 978-1-107-40770-1
• No. of pages: 192
• Series: Cambridge Studies in Early Modern British History; Cambridge Studies in Early Mod; Cambridge Studies in Early Modern British History
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Regional and national histories; England, European History, HISTORY / Social History, Social & cultural history, c 1500 onwards to present day, British & Irish history, United Kingdom, Great Britain, 17th century, c 1600 to c 1699, HISTORY / Europe / Great Britain / General, Social and cultural history, Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700, 16th century, c 1500 to c 1599, Early modern warfare (including gunpowder warfare), Civil wars, HISTORY / Military / Early Modern Warfare (1500-1800)