New Books in Early Modern History Caroline Burt and Richard Partington, "Arise, England: Six Kings and the Making of the English State" (Faber & Faber, 2024)
Sep 17, 2024
Join historians Caroline Burt and Richard Partington as they delve into the tumultuous era of Plantagenet England. Burt highlights King John's turmoil and the birth of Magna Carta, while Partington discusses how common law and parliamentary structures shaped governance. They explore Edward I's effective reign and the chaos of Edward II's personal failures, contrasting these monarchs with Richard II's flawed leadership. With insights on the evolution of the English state, they reveal historical resonances that still impact politics today.
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Sequence That Built The English State
- The Plantagenet-era state developed from a sequence: common law, international conflict, Magna Carta, taxation, Parliament, and public ownership of government.
- These linked developments in the 12th–14th centuries shaped the English state we recognize today.
Records Reveal Government In Practice
- Exceptional survival of central and local records lets historians see both governmental intent and implementation on the ground.
- Legal records are especially rich, revealing practical government and the minds of ruling actors.
John’s Paranoia Undermined Rule
- Caroline Burt links King John's unpredictable paranoia to his destructive governance and arbitrary punishments.
- That personal instability made extortionate fiscal practices politically explosive.