This wide-ranging and original book makes a significant contribution to our understanding of the Church of England in the period between 1660 and 1828. Through a detailed study of the diocese of the archbishops of Canterbury it explores the political, economic, cultural, intellectual and pastoral functions of the established Church and argues that we should see the Church in a far more positive light than has hitherto been the case.

A major source for an understanding of the position of the Church of England in the mid-18th century: a digest of parish returns between 1758 and 1761. The Speculum compiled by Archbishop Thomas Secker (1758-68) is a major source for our understanding of the position of the Church of England in the mid-eighteenth century. A parish by parish digest of the returns submittedto the archbishop between 1758 and 1761, in the main for the diocese of Canterbury but including several others. It contains very full information on such matters as the size and social structure of the parishes; the names and qualifications of the clergy; their wealth; and their relations with Roman Catholics and protestant dissenters. Part of the significance of the Speculum is its witness of the pastoral pressure applied by Secker, allowing the historian to assess how far an energetic archbishop was ableto improve the standards of pastoral provision in the parishes under his care. This edition has attempted to preserve the spelling and capitalisation of the original,and editorial notes give biographical information on the large number of persons mentioned in the text, as well as identifying other textual allusions. JEREMY GREGORY is Lecturer in History at the University of Northumbria.

Founded in 1421, the Collegiate Church of Manchester, which became a cathedral in 1847, is of outstanding historical and architectural importance. But until now it has not been the subject of a comprehensive study. Appearing on the 600th anniversary of the Cathedral's inception by Henry V, this book explores the building's past and its place at the heart of the world's first industrial city, touching on everything from architecture and music to misericords and stained glass. Written by a team of renowned experts and beautifully illustrated with more than 100 photographs, this history of the 'Collegiate Church' is at the same time a history of the English church in miniature. -- .

A rich, detailed and well-illustrated overview of the landscape of the North East of England. How distinctive is the landscape of the North East of England? How far does its distinctive nature contribute to the region's regional identity? These are key questions addressed by this book. Covering a wide range of subjects including country house landscapes, village landscapes and "townscapes", including coverage of how the region's landscape has been perceived and represented in literature and art, and approaching the subject from a wide range of perspectives including historical, literary, archaeological, art-historical and geographical, the book provides a rich, detailed and well-illustrated overview of the landscape of the North East of England. It demonstrates that this landscape is more subtle, layered and varied than is often supposed, and that stereotypes that the region is grimly industrial and dominated by coal-mining are wrong. Overall, besides much interesting detail and many new research findings, the book vividly evokes the landscapes and the spirit of place of the North East. Dr THOMAS FAULKNER is Visiting Fellow, School of Historical Studies, University of Newcastle; Dr HELEN BERRY is Reader in Early Modern History, School of Historical Studies, University of Newcastle; Dr JEREMY GREGORY is Senior Lecturer, Dept. Religions and Theology, University of Manchester. Contributors: S. M. COUSINS, A. W. PURDUE, S. A. CAUNCE, STEVEN DESMOND, JUDITH BETNEY, VERONICA GOULTY, FIONA GREEN, ADRIAN GREEN, WINIFRED STOKES, HILARY J. GRAINGER, MARTIN ROBERTS, GILLIAN COOKSON, THOMAS FAULKNER, LINDA POLLEY, HELEN BERRY, HUGH DIXON, JAN HEWITT, LAURA NEWTON.

Historians of the long eighteenth century have recently recognised that this period is central both to the history of cultural production and consumption and to the history of national and regional identity. Yet no book has, as yet, directly engaged with these two areas of interest at the same time. By uniting interest in the history of culture with the history of regional identity, Creating and Consuming Culture in North-East England, 1660-1830 is of crucial importance to a wide range of historians and intervenes in a number of highly important historical and conceptual debates in a timely and provocative way. The book makes a substantial contribution to eighteenth-century studies. Not only do these essays demonstrate that in thinking about cultural production and consumption in the eighteenth century there are important continuities as well as changes that need to be considered, but also they complicate the commonplace assumption of metropolitan-led cultural change and cultural innovation. Rather than the usual model of centre-periphery diffusion, a number of contributions show that cultural change in the provinces was happening at the same time as in, or in some cases even before, London. The essays also indicate the complex relationship between cultural consumption and social status, with some cultural forms being more inclusive than others.

Enormously rich and wide-ranging, The Routledge Companion to Britain in the Eighteenth Century brings together, in one handy reference, a wide range of essential information on the major aspects of eighteenth century British history. The information included is chronological, statistical, tabular and bibliographical, and the book begins with the eighteenth century political system before going on to cover foreign affairs and the empire, the major military and naval campaigns, law and order, religion, economic and financial advances, and social and cultural history. Key features of this user-friendly volume include: wide-ranging political chronologies major wars and rebellions key treaties and their terms chronologies of religious events approximately 500 biographies of leading figures essential data on population, output and trade a detailed glossary of terms a comprehensive cultural and intellectual chronology set out in tabular form a uniquely detailed and comprehensive topic bibliography. All those studying or teaching eighteenth century British history will find this concise volume an indispensable resource for use and reference.

Enormously rich and wide-ranging, The Routledge Companion to Britain in the Eighteenth Century brings together, in one handy reference, a wide range of essential information on the major aspects of eighteenth century British history. The information included is chronological, statistical, tabular and bibliographical, and the book begins with the eighteenth century political system before going on to cover foreign affairs and the empire, the major military and naval campaigns, law and order, religion, economic and financial advances, and social and cultural history. Key features of this user-friendly volume include: wide-ranging political chronologies major wars and rebellions key treaties and their terms chronologies of religious events approximately 500 biographies of leading figures essential data on population, output and trade a detailed glossary of terms a comprehensive cultural and intellectual chronology set out in tabular form a uniquely detailed and comprehensive topic bibliography. All those studying or teaching eighteenth century British history will find this concise volume an indispensable resource for use and reference.

Historians of the long eighteenth century have recently recognised that this period is central both to the history of cultural production and consumption and to the history of national and regional identity. Yet no book has, as yet, directly engaged with these two areas of interest at the same time. By uniting interest in the history of culture with the history of regional identity, Creating and Consuming Culture in North-East England, 1660-1830 is of crucial importance to a wide range of historians and intervenes in a number of highly important historical and conceptual debates in a timely and provocative way. The book makes a substantial contribution to eighteenth-century studies. Not only do these essays demonstrate that in thinking about cultural production and consumption in the eighteenth century there are important continuities as well as changes that need to be considered, but also they complicate the commonplace assumption of metropolitan-led cultural change and cultural innovation. Rather than the usual model of centre-periphery diffusion, a number of contributions show that cultural change in the provinces was happening at the same time as in, or in some cases even before, London. The essays also indicate the complex relationship between cultural consumption and social status, with some cultural forms being more inclusive than others.