Anglicanism and Royalism in the 1640s

Royalist religion has generally received little attention from historians compared with the care that they have lavished on the religious concerns of Parliamentarians. Nevertheless, a number of important studies have emphasized the importance of religious conservatism in generating support for Royalism. Particularly important here has been the pioneering work of John Morrill, who in a celebrated article traced the significant evidence of Anglican survivalism and liturgical conservatism in the 1640s, which suggested that the Book of Common Prayer had dug deep roots into popular, parochial culture. The work of David Underdown and Mark Stoyle has connected these forms of religious conservatism explicitly with popular Royalism, linking popular attachment to parochial religious traditions with a broader attachment to festive culture and hatred of puritans in securing royalist allegiance.1 In this work, ‘Anglicanism’ can thus be seen as providing a critical ideological cement for Royalism, providing a focus for cultural conservatism that could unite élites, middling sorts and poorer groups alike. It would become a rallying call for anti-puritan opinion and, as such, a crucial spiritual and social resource for those opposed to the political and social developments of the 1640s and 1650s.