'Threatening and tempetous times': the impact of and responses to the reign of James II from the East Midlands, 1685-1688

Bliss, ZD, 2003. 'Threatening and tempetous times': the impact of and responses to the reign of James II from the East Midlands, 1685-1688. PhD, Nottingham Trent University.

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Abstract

In contrast to the civil war period and studies examining the local responses to the reign of Charles I there is a paucity of research examining the responses from the localities to the reign of James II. Making use of a prosopographical database of East Midland justices of the peace c. 1660-1695, this thesis explores the impact that the policies adopted by James II had on the four East Midland counties of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, particularly in the realm of local office-holding. It demonstrates the detrimental effect that James's government had on local administration and highlights this as another cause of discontent towards the crown during this period.

The main available source to study the local responses to James's reign is the answers to the three questions pertaining to the repeal of the Test Act and penal laws that the lord lieutenants were required to set to local office-holders from late 1687. However, comparing these returns between counties is problematic due to the varying manner in the way in which the questions were asked, answered and recorded. This thesis provides a possible methodology for manipulating the returns to make cross county comparisons possible.

In the wake of William of Orange's landing, the East Midlands was one of the few areas of the country that witnessed a pre-concerted uprising. This uprising has been depicted as having been dominated by the aristocracy. This thesis reconsiders the role played by the gentry during the uprising and highlights their important function in maintaining the peace during the crisis. It also demonstrates that whilst Nottingham was the rendezvous point for the insurgents the revolt had widespread reverberations throughout the region. The prosopographical database created during the course of the research will be deposited with AHDS History, providing a valuable tool for other researchers.

Item Type:	Thesis
Creators:	Bliss, Z.D.
Date:	2003
ISBN:	9781369315738
Identifiers:	Number Type PQ10183368 Other
Divisions:	Schools > School of Arts and Humanities
Record created by:	Linda Sullivan
Date Added:	30 Nov 2020 15:18
Last Modified:	10 Aug 2023 09:59
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/41723

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