Honors Theses
Date of Award
Spring 5-7-2025
Document Type
Undergraduate Thesis
Department
History
First Advisor
Isaac Stephens
Second Advisor
Marc Lerner
Third Advisor
Karen Raber
Relational Format
Abstract
In the decades preceding the English Civil Wars, religious and political conflicts intensified in large part due to the reforms imposed by William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury under Charles I. Laud’s promotion of increased ceremonialism, the “beauty of holiness,” and hierarchical church structure provoked fierce opposition from Puritans and other non-conforming sects of Protestantism, who interpreted these changes as a revival of Catholic practices. His arrest in 1640 and subsequent execution in 1645 became the focal point for broader ideological conflict. Following his death, two competing narratives emerged: one framing Laud as a traitorous figure attempting to restore Catholicism in England, and the other presenting him as a martyr for the true Church of England. This thesis examines how these polarized portrayals were used by Laudian and anti-Laudian polemical authors to win the hearts and minds of the English people. By analyzing contemporary and posthumous works, this study will explore how competing depictions of Archbishop Laud contributed to the deepening religious fractures that ultimately fueled the outbreak of the English Civil Wars.
Recommended Citation
Slawson, Parker, "The Martyrdom of Archbishop William Laud: A Study of Competing Narratives and Religio-Politics in Stuart England" (2025). Honors Theses. 3371.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/3371