Negotiating Exclusion in Early Modern England, 1550–1800 (Routledge Research in Early Modern History)

"This edited volume examines how individuals and communities defined and negotiated the boundaries between inclusion and exclusion in England between 1550 and 1800. It aims to uncover how men, women, and children from a wide range of social and religious backgrounds experienced and enacted exclusion in their everyday lives. Negotiating Exclusion takes a fresh and challenging look at early modern England's distinctive cultures of exclusion under three broad themes: exclusion and social relations; the boundaries of community; and exclusions in ritual, law, and bureaucracy. The volume shows that exclusion was a central feature of everyday life and social relationships in this period. Its chapters also offer new insights into how the history of exclusion can be usefully investigated through different sources and innovative methodologies, and in relation to the experiences of people not traditionally defined as "marginal." The book includes a comprehensive overview of the historiography of exclusion and chapters from leading scholars. This makes it an ideal introduction to exclusion for students and researchers of early modern English and European history. Due to its strong theoretical underpinnings, it will also appeal to modern historians and sociologists interested in themes of identity, inclusion, exclusion, and community"-- Provided by publisher Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Contents List of Figures Acknowledgements Introduction: Approaching Early Modern Exclusion and Inclusion Inclusion and Exclusion in History Theories of Inclusion and Exclusion Chapter Overview Notes Part I: Exclusion and Social Relations 1. Domestic Exclusions: The Politics of the Household in Early Modern England Exclusionary Contexts The Pagitts: Son Versus Stepmother The Goodwins: Usurpation and Exclusion The Goodwins: The Sequel Notes 2. The Language of Exclusion: 'Bastard' in Early Modern England The Vocabulary of Illegitimacy The Experience of Illegitimacy Illegitimacy as Defamation Conclusion Notes 3. Women and Religious Coexistence in Eighteenth-Century England Ideals and Stereotypes Experiences of Exclusion Inclusion and Neighbourly Women Inclusion and Religiosity Conclusion Acknowledgements Notes 4. Failed Friendship and the Negotiation of Exclusion in Eighteenth-Century Polite Society Friendship and Exclusion in Eighteenth-Century Advice Literature Mary Sharpe's Social Circle and the Politics of Politeness Mary Sharpe and the Consequences of Failed Friendship Conclusion Acknowledgements Notes Part II: The Boundaries of Community 5. The Negotiation of Inclusion and Exclusion in the Westminster Infirmary, 1716‒1750 The Westminster Infirmary and Social Order Donors and Staff Admission Discharge Conclusion Notes 6. Defining the Boundaries of Community?: Experiences of Parochial Inclusion and Pregnancy Outside Wedlock in Early Modern England Church Court Depositions Making Amends with the Church Support and Charity Acceptance and Inclusion Conclusion Notes 7. Hunting, Sociability, and the Politics of Inclusion and Exclusion in Early Seventeenth-Century England Hunting and Factional Politics Hunting and Religion Women and Hunting Conclusion Notes Part III: Exclusions in Ritual, Law, and Bureaucracy 8. Failing at Patriarchy: Gender, Exclusion, and Violence, 1560‒1640 The Spectacle of Elite Failures Cuckolds and Violence Violent Husbands Conclusion Acknowledgement Notes 9. They 'Know as Much at Thirteen as If They Had Been Mid-Wives of Twenty Years Standing': Girls and Sexual Knowledge in Early Modern England Sexual Knowledge Cultures and Exchange Sexual Knowledge and Sexual Consent Sexual Knowledge and Court Testimony Conclusion Notes 10. Inscription and Political Exclusion in Early Modern England Paperwork and the Practice of Early Modern Politics Exclusionary Texts and Inscriptional Patriarchy Gendered Mediations Labour Within the Tower Record Office Conclusion Acknowledgments Notes Afterword Notes Contributors Index Introduction: Approaching early modern exclusion and inclusion / Naomi Pullin and Kathryn Woods -- Domestic exclusions : the politics of the household in early modern England / Bernard Capp -- The language of exclusion : "bastard" in early modern England / Kate Gibson -- Women and religious coexistence in eighteenth-century England / Carys Brown -- Failed friendship and the negotiation of exclusion in eighteenth-century polite society / Naomi Pullin -- The negotiation of inclusion and exclusion in the Westminster Infirmary, 1716-1750 / Kathryn Woods -- Defining the boundaries of community? : experiences of parochial inclusion and pregnancy outside wedlock in early modern England / Charmian Mansell -- Hunting, sociability, and the politics of inclusion and exclusion in early seventeenth-century England / Tom Rose -- Failing at patriarchy : gender, exclusion and violence, 1560-1640 / Susan D. Amussen -- They "know as much at thirteen as if they had been mid-wives of twenty years standing" : girls and sexual knowledge in early modern England / Sarah Toulalan -- Inscription and political exclusion in early modern England / Nicholas Popper -- Afterword / Andrew Spicer This book examines how individuals and communities defined and negotiated the boundaries between inclusion and exclusion in England between 1550 and 1800. It shows that exclusion was a feature of everyday life for early modern men, women, and children.