Manchester University Press
2 The national context of local history
Abstract
The importance of genealogy in encouraging the early historical interests of many antiquaries, and the significance of the College of Arms as a repository of historical records, made the heralds an important element in the development of local history. There were a number of external forces which shaped the way in which the late Elizabethan and early Stuart gentry approached the past. It is these external forces that are the subject of this chapter. The national history of Britain or the medieval history of Europe had no place within the formal curriculum. The Elizabethan curriculum of the Free Grammar School in Leicester was typical of the period. The historical scholarship that Matthew Parker sponsored was concentrated within his own household. It is also in the context of history as a guide to action through precept that William Camden founded a chair in civil history at Oxford.
Abstract
The importance of genealogy in encouraging the early historical interests of many antiquaries, and the significance of the College of Arms as a repository of historical records, made the heralds an important element in the development of local history. There were a number of external forces which shaped the way in which the late Elizabethan and early Stuart gentry approached the past. It is these external forces that are the subject of this chapter. The national history of Britain or the medieval history of Europe had no place within the formal curriculum. The Elizabethan curriculum of the Free Grammar School in Leicester was typical of the period. The historical scholarship that Matthew Parker sponsored was concentrated within his own household. It is also in the context of history as a guide to action through precept that William Camden founded a chair in civil history at Oxford.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures vii
- Acknowledgements ix
- List of abbreviations and key to selected references xi
- Introduction 1
- 1 The development of local history in England before 1660 14
- 2 The national context of local history 57
- 3 The development of regional networks 80
- 4 Sources for local history 112
- 5 Genealogical history 150
- 6 Didactic history 179
- 7 Local history and the physical world 207
- Conclusion 239
- Appendix 243
- Index 248
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i
- Contents v
- List of figures vii
- Acknowledgements ix
- List of abbreviations and key to selected references xi
- Introduction 1
- 1 The development of local history in England before 1660 14
- 2 The national context of local history 57
- 3 The development of regional networks 80
- 4 Sources for local history 112
- 5 Genealogical history 150
- 6 Didactic history 179
- 7 Local history and the physical world 207
- Conclusion 239
- Appendix 243
- Index 248
