'Scandalous' and 'Malignant'? Reasons for the Persecution of Clergy of the Church of England during the 1640s (original) (raw)

This dissertation examines the persecution of the Church of England's clergy during the 1640s, arguing that the reasons for removal were complex and regionally varied, beyond a simple Anglican-Puritan divide. It focuses on multiple accusations against clergy, including Laudian sympathies and 'scandalous' behavior, linking these to local secular disputes and the influence of the English Civil War. The analysis aims to reveal deeper meanings behind the accusations and the socio-political dynamics at play in the context of the time.