Charity and Lay Piety in Reformation London, 1500-1620 (St. Andrew's Studies in Reformation History)
Book Description
Through the intimate lens of personal wills and testaments from London parishes, this scholarly exploration reveals how ordinary people navigated profound spiritual transformation during one of history's most turbulent religious periods. Rather than viewing the English Reformation as a sharp divide between two opposing eras, Claire Schen presents a nuanced portrait of gradual spiritual evolution spanning 120 years.
Drawing from the authentic voices of everyday believers, this study illuminates how concepts of salvation, charity, and divine purpose shifted within individual hearts and minds. The author examines how London's residents expressed their deepest spiritual convictions through acts of giving and devotion, offering readers insight into the personal dimension of religious change that often gets lost in broader historical narratives.
By focusing on lay piety and charitable practices, the work demonstrates how spiritual transformation occurs not through sudden upheaval but through sustained inner development over generations. The research challenges conventional assumptions about religious change, showing instead how faith communities adapt and evolve while maintaining essential spiritual connections.
For those interested in understanding how personal spirituality intersects with social transformation, this examination provides valuable perspective on the gradual nature of authentic spiritual development. The book offers a thoughtful meditation on how individual acts of faith and charity contribute to larger patterns of religious and social evolution.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~8 hours)
📄 Length: 304 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Piété
- ✓ Explore Histoire
- ✓ Explore Charity
- ✓ Explore Charité
- ✓ Explore Réforme (Christianisme)
- ✓ Explore Church history
- ✓ Explore Reformation
- ✓ Explore Reformation, england
