During the medieval and early modern periods the Welsh diocese of St Davids was one of the largest in the country and the most remote. This collection makes clear, that this combination of factors resulted in a religious life which was less regulated and controlled by the institutional forces of both Church and State.
During the medieval and early modern periods the Welsh diocese of St Davids was one of the largest in the country and the most remote. As this collection makes clear, this combination of factors resulted in a religious life which was less regulated and controlled by the institutional forces of both Church and State. Addressing key ideas in the development of popular religious culture and the stubborn continuity of long-lasting religious practices into the modern era, the volume shows how the diocese was also a locus for continuing major religious controversies, especially in the nineteenth century. Presenting a fresh view of the Diocese of St Davids since the Reformation, this is the first new account of religion and society in over a century. It is, moreover, not one which is written primarily from an institutional perspective but from that of wider society. As well as a chronological treatment, giving an overview of the history of religion in the diocese, chapters address key themes, including a study of religious revivals which originated within the borders of the diocese; consideration of popular and elite education, including the contribution of Bishop Burgess's pioneering institution at Lampeter (the first degree awarding institution in England and Wales after Oxford and Cambridge); the relationship of the Church to the revival of Welsh cultural identity; and new reflections on the agitation and realisation of disestablishment of the Church as it affected Wales. As such, this pioneering study has much to offer all those with an interest, not only in Welsh history, but ecclesiastical history more broadly.
"This edited collection is excellent, well introduced, and although there is no cumulative bibliography, it is well referenced throughout."
Judy Bailey, The University of Adelaide, Journal of the Australian and New Zealand Association for Medieval and Early Modern Studies
"Overall, this volume is a long overdue contribution to discussions of British religious culture, and a vital step in improving our understanding of the contributions of regional cultures to the overall national picture. Many of the surviving primary sources used by the authors are in the Welsh language, and are therefore translated and presented to the wider academic community for the first time through the chapters of this volume."
Hannah Thomas, Durham University
