The Politics of Social Conflict
The Peak Country, 1520–1770

A social and economic history of class and popular politics in the early modern 'Peak Country' of Derbyshire.

Andy Wood (Author)

9780521037723, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 12 July 2007

376 pages, 14 maps
22.8 x 15.1 x 2.1 cm, 0.568 kg

'[A] richly rewarding study … [Wood's] fine analysis of the plebeian politics of the Peak in the English Revolution … is itself worth the price of admission to a masterclass in the new social history of politics.' Economic History Review

This book provides an alternative approach to the history of social conflict, popular politics and plebeian culture in the early modern period. Based on a close study of the Peak Country of Derbyshire c.1520–1770, it has implications for understandings of class identity, popular culture, riot, custom and social relations. A detailed reconstruction of economic and social change within the region is followed by an in-depth examination of the changing cultural meanings of custom, gender, locality, skill, literacy, orality and magic. The local history of social conflict sheds light upon the nature of political engagement and the origins of early capitalism. Important insights are offered into early modern social and gender identities, civil war allegiances, the appeal of radical ideas and the making of the English working class. Above all, the book challenges the claim that early modern England was a hierarchical, 'pre-class' society.

List of figures
List of tables
List of maps
Preface
List of abbreviations
Introduction - 'terms we did not understand': landscape, place and perceptions
1. Social relations and popular culture in early modern England
Part I. The Structures of Inequality: 2. Economy and society in the Peak Country, c.1520–70
3. Industrialization and social change, c.1570–1660
4. The Peak Country as an industrial region, c.1660–1770
5. Social conflict and early capitalism
Part II. The Conditions of Community: 6. 'The memory of the people': custom, law and popular culture
7. The politics of custom
8. Community, identity and culture
Part III. The Politics of Social Conflict: 9. 'Pyllage uppon the poore mynorz': sources of social conflict, 1500–1600
10. 'All is hurly burly here': local histories of social conflict, 1600–40
11. The Peak in context: riot and popular politics in early Stuart England
12. 'Prerogative hath many proctors': the English Revolution and the plebeian politics of the Peak, 1640–60
13. The experience of defeat? The defence of custom, 1660–1770
14. The making of the English working class in the Derbyshire Peak Country
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700 [HBLH], British & Irish history [HBJD1]