When the Waves Ruled Britannia : Geography and Political Identities, 1500–1800

How did a rural and agrarian English society transform itself into a mercantile and maritime state? What role was played by war and the need for military security? How did geographical ideas inform the construction of English - and then British - political identities? Focusing upon the deployment of geographical imagery and arguments for political purposes, Jonathan Scott's ambitious and interdisciplinary study traces the development of the idea of Britain as an island nation, state and then empire from 1500 to 1800, through literature, philosophy, history, geography and travel writing. One argument advanced in the process concerns the maritime origins, nature and consequences of the English revolution. This is the first general study to examine changing geographical languages in early modern British politics, in an imperial, European and global context. Offering a new perspective on the nature of early modern Britain, it will be essential reading for students and scholars of the period. How Did A Rural And Agrarian English Society Transform Itself Into A Mercantile And Maritime State? What Role Was Played By War And The Need For Military Security? How Did Geographical Ideas Inform The Construction Of English - And Then British - Political Identities? Focusing Upon The Deployment Of Geographical Imagery And Arguments For Political Purposes, Jonathan Scott's Ambitious And Interdisciplinary Study Traces Development Of The Idea Of Britain As An Island Nation, State And Then Empire From 1500 To 1800, Through Literature, Philosophy, History, Geography And Travel Writing. One Argument Advanced In The Process Concerns The Maritime Origins, Nature And Consequences Of The English Revolution. This Is The First General Study To Examine Changing Geographical Languages In Early Modern British Politics, In An Imperial, European And Global Context. Offering A New Perspective On The Nature Of Early Modern Britain, It Will Be Essential Reading For Students And Scholars Of The Period--provided By Publisher. Introduction: Britain's Island Idea -- 1. Community Of Water -- 2. Queen Of Sparta -- 3. The Discipline Of The Sea -- 4. Ark Of War -- 5. Blowing A Dead Coal -- 6. The British Empire In Europe -- 7. The World In An Island -- 8. Anti-continentalism -- 9. What Continent? -- Conclusion: Floating Islands. Jonathan Scott. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 200-221) And Index. "How did a rural and agrarian English society transform itself into a mercantile and maritime state? What role was played by war and the need for military security? How did geographical ideas inform the construction of English - and then British - political identities? Focusing upon the deployment of geographical imagery and arguments for political purposes, Jonathan Scott's ambitious and interdisciplinary study traces development of the idea of Britain as an island nation, state and then empire from 1500 to 1800, through literature, philosophy, history, geography and travel writing. One argument advanced in the process concerns the maritime origins, nature and consequences of the English revolution. This is the first general study to examine changing geographical languages in early modern British politics, in an imperial, European and global context. Offering a new perspective on the nature of early modern Britain, it will be essential reading for students and scholars of the period"-- Provided by publisher "How did a rural and agrarian English society transform itself into a mercantile and maritime state? What role was played by war and the need for military security? How did geographical ideas inform the construction of English - and then British - political identities? Focusing upon the deployment of geographical imagery and arguments for political purposes, Jonathan Scott's ambitious and interdisciplinary study traces development of the idea of Britain as an island nation, state and then empire from 1500 to 1800, through literature, philosophy, history, geography and travel writing. One argument advanced in the process concerns the maritime origins, nature and consequences of the English revolution. This is the first general study to examine changing geographical languages in early modern British politics, in an imperial, European and global context. Offering a new perspective on the nature of early modern Britain, it will be essential reading for students and scholars of the period"-- Résumé de l'éditeur Cover......Page 1 Half-title......Page 3 Title......Page 5 Copyright......Page 6 Dedication......Page 7 Series-title......Page 8 Contents......Page 9 Figures......Page 10 Maps......Page 11 Preface: Geography and the sea......Page 13 Abbreviations......Page 19 Introduction: Britain’s island idea......Page 21 1 Community of water......Page 31 2 Queen of Sparta......Page 51 3 The discipline of the sea......Page 74 4 Ark of war......Page 93 5 Blowing a dead coal......Page 112 6 The British empire in Europe......Page 136 7 The world in an island......Page 157 8 Anti-continentalism......Page 173 9 What continent?......Page 193 Conclusion: floating islands......Page 214 Appendix: Duck Language (1724)......Page 218 British Library(BL), London......Page 220 National Maritime Museum (NMM), Greenwich, London......Page 221 Manuscript essays......Page 222 Printed primary sources......Page 224 Published secondary sources......Page 230 Index......Page 242 This ambitious and interdisciplinary study traces development of the idea of Britain as an island nation, state and then empire from 1500 to 1800, through literature, philosophy, history, geography and travel writing. It examines changing geographical languages in early modern British politics, in an imperial, European and global context.