Puritan Iconoclasm during the English Civil War (Studies in Modern British Religious History)

Book Description

This scholarly exploration delves into a pivotal moment when religious conviction collided with artistic tradition during one of England's most turbulent periods. Julie Spraggon examines how Puritan reformers, driven by deep spiritual convictions about proper worship, systematically dismantled centuries of religious imagery and ceremonial objects throughout the 1640s.

The study reveals how what began as opposition to Archbishop Laud's emphasis on ceremonial beauty evolved into a comprehensive campaign of image-breaking. Parliamentary legislation increasingly targeted not only recent Catholic-influenced additions but also pre-Reformation artifacts that had previously coexisted peacefully with Protestant worship. Communion rails, stained glass windows, and religious statuary became focal points of a spiritual reformation that sought to purify religious practice.

Spraggon traces both the official parliamentary movement and the spontaneous actions of soldiers whose destructive zeal became legendary. Through detailed case studies of London churches, cathedrals, and universities, she demonstrates how religious ideology translated into concrete action across English society.

This work offers valuable insights for anyone seeking to understand how deeply held spiritual beliefs can reshape cultural landscapes. It illuminates the complex relationship between faith, politics, and artistic expression, showing how religious reformers navigated the tension between honoring tradition and pursuing what they believed to be authentic spiritual practice.

The book provides a nuanced examination of how communities balance reverence for the past with commitment to spiritual renewal.