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Death and Disorder: A History of Early Modern England, 1485–1690

By Ken MacMillan

© 2020

In Death and Disorder, award-winning teacher Ken MacMillan introduces readers to the tumultuous world of Tudor and Stuart England. During this period, numerous kings and queens were killed, their advisors assassinated, treasonous nobles beheaded, religious heretics burned at the stake, and common criminals executed by hanging. Combined with devastating plagues, a high rate of infant mortality, and violence on the battlefield, these events created an environment of disorder. MacMillan argues that both despite and because of the prevalence of death and disorder in early modern England, these two centuries saw critical historical developments.

Each chapter opens with a thematic vignette, closes with an excerpt from a primary source, and includes images and engaging discussion questions. The book also provides a timeline of key events, genealogical charts, and a list of further resources.

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Product Details

  • World Rights
  • Page Count: 296 pages
  • Illustrations: 23
  • Dimensions: 7.5in x 0.7in x 9.3in
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SKU# HE000819

  • PUBLISHED AUG 2020
    From: $49.95
    ISBN 9781487588489
  • PUBLISHED AUG 2020
    From: $39.95
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Quick Overview

This innovative textbook recounts famous and infamous incidents of death and disorder in early modern England, including the executions of St. Thomas More and Mary Queen of Scots and the untimely end of thousands of others.

Death and Disorder: A History of Early Modern England, 1485–1690

By Ken MacMillan

© 2020

In Death and Disorder, award-winning teacher Ken MacMillan introduces readers to the tumultuous world of Tudor and Stuart England. During this period, numerous kings and queens were killed, their advisors assassinated, treasonous nobles beheaded, religious heretics burned at the stake, and common criminals executed by hanging. Combined with devastating plagues, a high rate of infant mortality, and violence on the battlefield, these events created an environment of disorder. MacMillan argues that both despite and because of the prevalence of death and disorder in early modern England, these two centuries saw critical historical developments.

Each chapter opens with a thematic vignette, closes with an excerpt from a primary source, and includes images and engaging discussion questions. The book also provides a timeline of key events, genealogical charts, and a list of further resources.

Continue Reading Read Less

Product Details

  • World Rights
  • Page Count: 296 pages
  • Illustrations: 23
  • Dimensions: 7.5in x 0.7in x 9.3in

  • Reviews

    "Death and Disorder is a lucid, well-organized, and well-written account of the period. Written for a North American audience, it introduces students to the concept of historical revisionism and debate, even while presenting a good textbook survey of the basics."


    Victor L. Stater, Louisiana State University

    "MacMillan makes clever use of the themes of death and disorder to redefine the Tudor and Stuart era and also to reveal how their thematic opposites – life and order – unfolded and emerged over the course of two tumultuous centuries. The narrative is lively and informative and will appeal to students in search of a sound but manageable introduction to the period."


    Greg T. Smith, University of Manitoba

    "Ken MacMillan’s Death and Disorder is an excellent pedagogical resource organized around accounts of executions, assassinations, and massacres from Tudor and Stuart England. The thoughtfully selected primary sources are situated within their broader social, political, and historical contexts, enabling students to appreciate their complexity. Thematically engaging and accessibly written, this book provides a compelling introduction to a fascinating period of English history."


    Charity Urbanski, University of Washington

  • Author Information

    Ken MacMillan is a professor in the Department of History at the University of Calgary.

  • Table of contents

    Acknowledgments
    Conventions
    Timeline of Key Events
    Genealogies

    Introduction

    Part One: The Tudors, 1485–1603

    1. Establishing the Tudor Dynasty, 1485–1509

    Death and Disorder: War and Regicide
    Voices of the Past: The Death of Perkin Warbeck

    2. Henry VIII and Reform, 1509–1547

    Death and Disorder: The Evil May Day Riot
    Voices of the Past: The Execution of Anne Askew

    3. Protestants and Catholics, 1547–1558

    Death and Disorder: The Prayer Book Rebellion
    Voices of the Past: The Burning of the Oxford Martyrs

    4. Elizabeth, the Virgin Queen, 1558–1603

    Death and Disorder: The London Plague of 1603
    Voices of the Past: The Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots

    Part Two: The Stuarts, 1603–1690

    5. Early Stuart Absolutism, 1604–42

    Death and Disorder: Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot
    Voices of the Past: The Assassination of the Duke of Buckingham

    6. War and Interregnum, 1642–60

    Death and Disorder: The Battle of Edgehill
    Voices of the Past: The Execution of Charles I

    7. Restoration and Revolution, 1660–90

    Death and Disorder: The Bloody Assizes
    Voices of the Past: Fire in the Garrett

    Part Three: Empire and Society

    8. Exploration, Trade, and Empire

    Death and Disorder: The Murder of Pemisipan
    Voices of the Past: The Jamestown Massacre

    9. Order, Authority, and Obedience

    Death and Disorder: The Murder of Thomas Arden
    Voices of the Past: The Life and Death of Margaret Fernseed

    10. Elite and Common Culture

    Death and Disorder: The Hog-Keeper and Her Daughter
    Voices of the Past: The Wealthy Yeoman and the Tragical Midwife

    11. From Cradle to Grave: The Stages of Life

    Death and Disorder: Monstrous Births and Murderous Mothers
    Voices of the Past: The Penitent Death of Thomas Savage

    Conclusion: Death and Disorder, Change and Continuity

    Further Resources

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