This is a survey of a seminal and intensely controversial period in British history, from the union of the Crowns of England and Scotland in 1603 to the union of the Kingdoms in 1707.
The book explores the intersecting histories of the Stuart monarchies and considers how events in each nation were shaped by being part of a multiple kingdom as well as by their own internal dynamics. Throughout, special attention is given to the personalities and political style of successive rulers. Their role in precipitating two revolutions is examined against the background of longer term constitutional, religious and social themes. In particular, the parallels between James I and Charles II, and between Charles I and James II, are clearly drawn out.
List of Plates ix
List of Maps xi
Preface xii
List of Abbreviations xv
Genealogical Tables xvi
1 1603 Union of the Crown 1
2 Great Britain's Solomon 29
3 The Ascendency of Buckingham 51
4 The Personal Rule of Charles I 77
5 The Collapse of Multiple Monarchies 105
6 War in Three Kingdoms 131
7 The British Republic 165
8 The Restoration of the British Monarchies 197
9 Court and Country 221
10 Exclusion and Reaction 254
11 A Glorious Revolution? 267
12 Britain Under William and Anne 299
13 1707 Union of the Kingdoms 329
Notes 349
Bibliographical Essay 359
Appendix 1: Glossary 382
Appendix 2: Archbishops of Canterbury, 1603-1707 392
Appendix 3: Lord Chancellors and Lord Keeper of the Great Seal of England, 1603-1707 393
Appendix 4: Lord Treasurers of England, 1603-1707 395
Appendix 5: Principal Secretaries of State of England, 1603-1707 397
Appendix 6: Chief Governors of Ireland, 1603-1707 402
Appendix 7: Scottish Secretaries, 1603-1707 405
Appendix 8 (A): English Parliamentary Sessions, 1604-1707 407
Appendix 8 (B): Irish Parliamentary Sessions, 1613-1713 410
Appendix 8 (C): Scottish Parliamentary Sessions, 1604-1707 407
Appendix 9 (A): The Population of England and Wales, 1601-1706 415
Appendix 9 (B): The Population of Ireland, 1603-1712 416
Appendix 9 (C): The Population of Scotland, 1603-1707 417
Appendix 10: Prices in England, 1601-1700 418
Appendix 11: Wage-rates in England, 1580-1710 419
Index 420
