God, Duty and Community in English Economic Life, 1660-1720 (Studies in Early Modern Cultural, Political and Social History) (Volume 13)

An analysis of later Stuart economic culture that contributes significantly to our understanding of early modern society. The English economy underwent profound changes in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, yet the worldly affairs of ordinary people continued to be shaped as much by traditional ideals and moral codes as by material conditions.This book explores the economic implications of many of the era's key concepts, including Christian stewardship, divine providence, patriarchal power, paternal duty, local community, and collective identity. Brodie Waddell drawson a wide range of contemporary sources - from ballads and pamphlets to pauper petitions and guild regulations - to show that such ideas pervaded every aspect of social and economic relations during this crucial period. Previous discussions of English economic life have tended to ignore or dismiss the influence of cultural factors. By contrast, Waddell argues that popular beliefs about divine will, social duty and communal bonds remained the frame through which most people viewed vital 'earthly' concerns such as food marketing, labour relations, trade policy, poor relief, and many others. This innovative study, demonstrating both the vibrancy and the diversity of the 'moral economies' of the later Stuart period, represents a significant contribution to our understanding of early modern society. It will be essential reading for all early modern British economic and cultural historians. BrodieWaddell is Leverhulme Early Career Fellow at the University of Cambridge. He has published on preaching, local government, the landscape and other aspects of early modern society. The English economy underwent profound changes in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, yet the worldly affairs of ordinary people continued to be shaped as much by traditional ideals and moral codes as by material conditions. This book explores the economic implications of many of the era's key concepts, including Christian stewardship, divine providence, patriarchal power, paternal duty, local community, and collective identity. Brodie Waddell draws on a wide range of contemporary sources - from ballads and pamphlets to pauper petitions and guild regulations - to show that such ideas pervaded every aspect of social and economic relations during this crucial period. Previous discussions of English economic life have tended to ignore or dismiss the influence of cultural factors. By contrast, Waddell argues that popular beliefs about divine will, social duty and communal bonds remained the frame through which most people viewed vital 'earthly' concerns such as food marketing, labour relations, trade policy, poor relief, and many others. This innovative study, demonstrating both the vibrancy and the diversity of the 'moral economies' of the later Stuart period, represents a significant contribution to our understanding of early modern society. It will be essential reading for all early modern British economic and cultural historians. Brodie Waddell is Leverhulme Early Career Fellow at the University of Cambridge. He has published on preaching, local government, the landscape and other aspects of early modern society Frontcover 1 Contents 8 List of Illustrations 9 Acknowledgements 10 Conventions 11 Abbreviations 12 Introduction 14 Chapter 1 God’s Will: Judgement, Providence, and the Prayers of the Poor 38 1. Stewardship 40 2. Mammonism 48 3. Heaven and Hell 55 4. Providence 66 5. Redress: Prayers and Curses 78 6. Conclusions 90 Chapter 2 Oeconomical Duties: Patriarchy, Paternalism, and Petitioning 98 1. Labour 102 2. Paternal Provision 111 3. Patriarchal Governance 126 4. Redress: Petitions and Appeals 139 5. Conclusions 151 Chapter 3 Communal Bonds: Solidarity, Alterity, and Collective Action 162 1. Flesh and Blood 164 2. England and Her Enemies 174 3. Little Commonwealths 190 4. Tradesmen’s Fraternities 206 5. Redress: Collective Action 218 6. Conclusions 235 Conclusion: Rethinking Economic Culture 240 Bibliography 246 Index 276 Backcover 290