Reformation and the Culture of Persuasion

A groundbreaking new history of the process of religious conversion during the European Reformation.

Andrew Pettegree (Author)

9780521602648, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 23 June 2005

252 pages, 10 b/w illus.
22.8 x 15.1 x 2.2 cm, 0.41 kg

'… no one has brought together such a diverse range of material on the Reformation's media with such economy and critical astuteness. Pettegree's book is also admirably written, free of jargon and pitched to a broad audience. As such, it is ideal to use in the classroom too, where it should provoke much debate and discussion.' Sixteenth Century Journal

Why did people choose the Reformation? What was it in the evangelical teaching that excited, moved or persuaded them? Andrew Pettegree here tackles these questions directly by re-examining the reasons that moved millions to this decisive and traumatic break with a shared Christian past. He charts the separation from family, friends, and workmates that adherence to the new faith often entailed and the new solidarities that emerged in their place. He explores the different media of conversion through which the Reformation message was communicated and imbibed - the role of drama, sermons, song and the book - and argues that the potency of print can only be understood as working in harmony with more traditional modes of communication. His findings offer a persuasive new answer to the critical question of how the Reformation could succeed as a mass movement in an age before mass literacy.

1. The dynamics of conversion
2. Preaching
3. Militant in song
4. Reformers on stage
5. Visual culture
6. Industry and intellect
7. Pamphlets and persuasion
8. New solidarities
9. The culture of belonging.

Subject Areas: History of religion [HRAX], Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700 [HBLH], European history [HBJD]