The Reformation of the English Parish Church

The work sets to describe and, in part at least explain, the changes to the parish church during the century after 1530. It is meticulously researched, drawing on a particularly extensive variety of sources including Whiting's own extensive examination of church interiors. It is notably wide ranging making reference to over 1100 parishes and places many attracting multiple mention. It is truly labour of love which has produced an outstanding history book. Any conclusions are modestly stated, and my sense is of a determination to avoid unnecessary controversy. Whiting quietly does point out that the apparently impressive stocks of religious material at the eve of the reformation were often acquired in the previous century or in the very early part of the C16th. Looking at the more immediate pre-reformation decades he concludes that 'support for religion was not always as enthusiastic as has sometimes been claimed'. It is apparent that reformation changes were frequently, actively supported and advanced by a significant body among the leaders of local society even in supposedly conservative Devon, although it is typical of the work that the reader is always made aware that there were some who did not support the process. It is also evident that any Marian recovery was very modest. For example in one critical area, donations to images 'appear in only 5 out of the 134 accounts of England's church wardens'. Or in the less central area of painting 'significantly' there was only a 'limited revival in Mary's reign'. Or with regard to new font or font cover construction after the attack on many font images in Edward's reign 'not one(significantly) during the 'catholic revival' of 1553/58'. The patterns which emerge are very consistent and cannot easily be set aside. The reader is directed to the multiple non-religious reasons why many people either supported or rejected the reformation process and the culture of loyalty and obedience to the Crown which ensured much conformity throughout, although this must be set alongside the influence of local leadership which also stands out. Further elaboration of the authors views regarding the balance between the two, at some point, would be of value. The main drawback is purely technical. The notes are at the back and several references are packaged together in each one, which can mean that untangling them can be difficult, and my preference would be for a few more tables to provide a little more structure. Overall the book can fairly be described as a masterpiece of careful research. A must read.

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