Violence and Religion: Attitudes Towards Militancy in the French Civil Wars and the English Revolution

Integrating her extensive knowledge of sixteenth and seventeenth century literature, Judy Sproxton examines the expression of a recurring theme in history, that of the tension between religious faith and political and militant action. Violence and Religion offers a detailed and fascinating study of the writings of some of the major figures of the time including Calvin, D’Aubigné Cromwell, Winstanley and the poet Andrew Marvell. Looking at texts written during two periods of major political upheaval and civil unrest in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, she explores the division between their understanding of the self-interest of humanity and the will of God.

Judy Sproxton is Lecturer in French at the University of Birmingham.