This thesis re-examines the premise put forward in Christopher Hill’s best-selling book ‘The World Turned Upside Down’. Unlike Hill who chose to focus on how different groups took a radical approach to religious observance, this thesis analyses sermons, literary and theatrical discourse, and personal testimonies to uncover the different ideas and approaches to religious change. By analysing the varied confessional approaches to religious radicalism, this thesis demonstrates that the alterations made to the religious settlement in the seventeenth century were either something to be feared or taken as an indication that even more radical ideas could be preached. To criticise Hill further, this thesis also proves that the idea of ‘the world turned upside down’ was not limited, nor specific to the seventeenth century. It was a phrase used repeatedly in different periods of religious and political upheaval. Earlier material written on the Antichrist and of the Pope’s declining in authority was reused in seventeenth century popular culture to reflect disorder in the church.
| Date of Award | 24 May 2024 |
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| Original language | English |
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| Supervisor | Sarah Bastow (Main Supervisor) |
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