The State and Social Identity in Early Modern England
This one-day colloquium will focus on the relationship between the English state and the languages, loyalties, actions and symbols by which early modern people defined their social position. An intellectual tradition of distinguishing the ‘machinery’ of government from the social ‘structure’ has done much either to discourage analysis of this theme, or else to encourage its conception in somewhat mechanical and unmediated terms. This event will seek to exploit the potential for a richer and subtler treatment arising from historians’ increasing awareness both of the complex and multi-causal nature of identity, and of the diffuse and imprecisely defined character of the English polity. Sessions will explore these relationships within three sub-themes falling within the early modern concept of ‘place’: the social order; region and locality; and the tenure of public office. These strands are intended to serve as overlapping rather than mutually exclusive areas of discussion, and it is intended that strong thematic links between the panels will provide a basis for fruitful general discussion.
Speakers: Dr Jonathan Barry (Exeter); Dr Heather Falvey (Cambridge); Aaron Graham (New College, Oxford); Dr Andrew Hopper (Leicester); Dr Vivienne Larminie (History of Parliament); Dr James Lee (UWE); Dr Diana Newton (Teesside); Professor John Walter (Essex); Dr Nicola Whyte (Exeter)