The Quakers in English Society, 1655-1725 (Oxford Historical Monographs)

Book info: The Quakers in English Society, 1655-1725 (Oxford Historical Monographs) (Hardcover, 280 pages) – Clarendon Press, 2000. Language: English.

The early Quakers denounced the clergy and social élite but what of Friends' relationships with others? By examining Quaker attitudes to neighbourliness, the family, the rites of passage, business, and other links, this lively and original study demonstrates that Quakers were not the marginal and isolated people as often portrayed by contemporaries and historians, and explores the their wider and significant impact upon early modern society. Editorial Reviews Review `it is a book to which historians will constantly return for answers' Journal of Ecclesiastical History, Vol 52/3`Davies makes a balanced and valuable contribution to the debate on the social origins of Quakerism' Journal of Ecclesiastical History, Vol 52/3`Davies has a nice eye for the telling quote' Journal of Ecclesiastical History, Vol 52/3`Adrian Davies has written an excellent local study on Quakerism. The research is impeccable, and early modern historians will have constant recourse to it for insights into the transition of a sect into a denomination' Journal of Ecclesiastical History, Vol 52/3`deeply-researched, pleasingly written' Michael A. Mullett, English Historical Review`Adrian Davis' book is particuarly valuable in explaining just how shocking Quaker 'plain dress', and 'plain language', were to their contemporaries. His chapter on body language is particularly interesting ... excellent.' Gil Skidmore, The Friend 1/12/00.`this well written and deeply researched book.' Contemporary Review, Dec. 2000.`absorbing study ... Davies' book is particularly useful because evidence for Nonconformists' integration into society is always harder to come by than its opposite.' Alison Shell, Church Times 1/12/00.`This book represents a significant contribution to Quaker studies, since, for the first time, it offers a focused account of the willingness of the Friends to integrate themselves into civil society and its institutions... The thematic organization, with chronological change examined within themes, is highly effective... It resolves some long-standing puzzles in Quaker studies as well as posing some new challenges.' John Morrill, TLS About the Author BBC Journalist