British Clubs and Societies 1580-1800: The Origins of an Associational World (Oxford Studies in Social History)

This book provides the first account of the rise of these most distinctive, widespread and powerful of social institutions in Georgian Britain. With roots in the early modern era, British clubs and societies swept the country by 1800, when they numbered in the thousands, and their influence continues today. Looking at the complex mosaic of clubs and societies, ranging from freemasonry to bird-fancying, the author considers the reasons for their successful development, their export to America and the colonies, and their impact on British Society. "Modern freemasonry was invented in London about 1717, but was only one of a surge of British associations in the early modern era." "Providing the first account of the rise of this powerful and distinctive British social institution up to 1800, Peter Clark maps its penetration of the English-speaking world as it came to be exported to the Empire and across to North America. The wider economic, social, and political forces are discussed to show how they contributed to the development and growth of these clubs and societies, leading them to assume quasi-governmental functions, thereby playing a crucial role which affected relations between state, locality, and the citizen. A final chapter questions current views about voluntarism and the making of civil society, bringing the debate up to the present day."--Jacket Modern freemasonry was invented in London about 1717, but was only one of a surge of British associations in the early modern era which had originated before the English Revolution. By 1800, thousands of clubs and societies had swept the country. Recruiting widely from the urban affluent classes, mainly amongst men, they traditionally involved heavy drinking, feasting, singing, and gambling. They ranged from political, religious and scientific societies, artistic and literary clubs, to sporting societies, bee keeping, and birdfancying clubs, and a myriad of other associations. This book provides the first account of the rise of these most distinctive, widespread, and powerful of social institutions in Georgian Britain: the British clubs and societies. The author describes their complex mosaic, ranging from freemasonry to bird-fancying, and examines the reasons for their successful development, and continuing influence. Preface 8 Contents 12 1 Introduction 18 2 Emergence: To 1688 43 3 National Expansion: 1688-1760 77 4 An Associational World: 1760-1800 111 5 Engines of Growth 158 6 Membership 211 7 Organization 251 8 Regional and Ethnic Societies 291 9 Freemasons 326 10 Benefit Clubs 367 11 Overseas 405 12 Impact 447 13 Conclusion 487 Index 510 978-0-19-924843-8 Peter Clark. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.