In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries revolutionary dissent, political upheaval and social protest spread throughout Europe - and Wales was no exception. In this unique examination of British social history, J.E. Thomas focuses upon the power of the local gentry in Wales, and their relationship with the poor and potentially revolutionary population. Early explosions of protest were seen all over Wales, coinciding with the aftermath of the American Revolution, and the equally seismic events of the French Revolution, while later revolts went on to provide serious challenges to the British state. 'Social Disorder in Britain' is an important contribution to the study of the history of religion, social protest and the rise of revolutionary movements, and will be essential reading for students and researchers of British history as well as those interested in revolution more generally.

Introduction -- Chapter One: The Welsh Squirearchy -- Chapter Two: The Peasantry of Wales -- Chapter Three: The Explosion of Protest -- Chapter Four: An Intellectual Basis of Protest? -- Chapter Five: The Machinery of Control -- Chapter Six: Towards a Theocratic Wales -- Epilogue -- Notes and references -- Bibliography -- Index.

The Industrial Revolution had a profound and lasting effect on socioeconomic and cultural conditions in Britain. The Birth of Industrial Britain examines the impact of early industrialisation on British society in the century before 1850, coinciding with Britain’s transition from a late pre-industrial economy to one based on industrialisation and urbanisation. This fully revised and updated second edition provides a comprehensive range of pedagogical material to support the text, including a Glossary of terms, people and parliamentary acts, new primary source documents and a brand new Chronology and ‘Who’s Who’ section. The Birth of Industrial Britain provides an essential up-to-date synthesis of the impact of the Industrial Revolution on British society for students at all levels.

The History of Britain and Ireland: Prehistory to Today is a balanced and integrated political, social, cultural, and religious history of the British Isles. Kenneth Campbell explores the constantly evolving dialogue and relationship between the past and the present. Written in the aftermath of the Black Lives Matter and Rhodes Must Fall demonstrations, The History of Britain and Ireland examines the history of Britain and Ireland at a time when it asks difficult questions of its past and looks to the future. Campbell places Black history at the forefront of his analysis and offers a voice to marginalised communities, to craft a complete and comprehensive history of Britain and Ireland from Prehistory to Today. This book is unique in that it integrates the histories of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, to provide a balanced view of British history. Building on the successful foundations laid by the first edition, the book has been updated to include: · COVID-19 and earlier diseases in history · LGBT History · A fresh appraisal of Winston Churchill · Brexit and the subsequent negotiations · 45 illustrations Richly illustrated and focusing on the major turning points in British history, this book helps students engage with British history and think critically about the topic.

Shortlisted for the Bread and Roses Award for Radical Publishing 2016 The wave of unrest which took place in 1840s Wales, known as ‘Rebeccaism’ or ‘the Rebecca riots’, stands out as a success story within the generally gloomy annals of popular struggle and defeat. The story is remembered in vivid and compelling images: attacks on tollgates and other symbols of perceived injustice by farmers and workers, outlandishly dressed in bonnets and petticoats and led by the iconic anonymous figure of Rebecca herself. The events form a core part of historical study and remembrance in Wales, and frequently appear in broader work on British radicalism and Victorian protest movements. This book draws on cultural history, gender studies and symbolic anthropology to present fresh and alternative arguments on the meaning of Rebeccaite costume and ritual; the significance of the feminine in protest; the links between protest and popular culture; the use of Rebecca’s image in Victorian press and political discourse; and the ways in which the events and the image of Rebecca herself were integrated into politics, culture and popular memory in Wales and beyond. All these aspects repay greater consideration than they have yet been accorded, and highlight the relevance of Rebeccaism to British and European popular protest – up to and including the present day.

In the maelstrom of Napoleonic Europe, Britain remained defiant, resisting French imperial ambitions. This Anglo-French rivalry was, essentially, a politico-economic conflict for pre-eminence fought on a global scale and it reached a zenith in 1806-1808 with France's apparent dominance of Continental Europe. Britain reacted swiftly and decisively to implement maritime-based strategies to limit French military and commercial gains in Europe, while protecting British overseas interests. The policy is particularly evident in relations with Britain's 'Ancient Ally': Portugal. That country and, by association her South American empire, became the front line in the battle between Napoleon's ambitions and British maritime security. Shedding new light on British war aims and maritime strategy, this is an essential work for scholars of the Napoleonic Wars and British political, diplomatic, economic and maritime/military history.

A century before Martin Luther and the Reformation, Jan Hus confronted the official Church and helped to change the face of medieval Europe. A key figure in the history of Europe and Christianity and a catalyst for religious reform and social revolution, Jan Hus was poised between tradition and innovation. Taking a stand against the perceived corruption of the Church, his continued defiance led to his excommunication and he was ultimately burned at the stake in 1415. What role did he play in shaping Medieval Europe? And what is his legacy for today? In this important and timely book Thomas A. Fudge explores Jan Hus, the man, his work and his legacy. Beginning his career at Prague University, this brilliant Bohemian preacher was soon catapulted by virtue of his radical and popular theology to the forefront of European affairs. This book fills a real gap in contemporary understanding of the medieval Church and offers an accessible and authoritative account of a most significant individual and his role in history. Jan Hus belongs to the pantheon of extraordinary figures from medieval religious history. His story is one of triumph and tragedy in a time of chaos and change.