Politics, Religion and Society in England 1640-1660

This study of English government and society under the rule of Oliver Cromwell examines some important events leading up to military conflict and the execution of King Charles I, such as the resurgence of Loyalism, the Parliamentary Army and the influence of the Puritan religion on government. It considers the economic, political, religious and cultural factors involved and makes reference to literary accounts of the period such as Hobbes' "Leviathan" and Harrington's "The Commonwealth of Oceana". It examines the conflict of opinion surrounding the causes of the events of 1640-1660.