Love Intimacy
and Power
Marriage and
Patriarchy in Scotland 1650-1850
Katie Barclay
Manchester University Press 2011
In a blog
Post that focusses on the works of John Calvin (1509 – 1564) then why include a
review of a book that details patterns of marriage in a different period and
country from those where his life’s work predominated? John Calvin influenced the Protestant
Reformation in cities and countries far beyond Geneva, the city with which his
name is most frequently associated. This
is true of Scotland where the Reformation beginning in 1560 and the influence
of John Knox (1513- 1572) is extensive.
With the
Scottish Reformation came more formal schooling and increased literacy among
the population. Her Calvin’s desire for
human beings to be able to read and comprehend Scripture for themselves is
worked out. Calvin’s influence on the
governance and authority of the local Church, the Kirk is also prevalent. In this book Katie Barclay explores the
approach to marriage over two centuries through correspondences between couples
linked with data on the number of marriages, the age of the partners and
developments in other countries affected by the Protestant Reformation such as
England Wales and the Scandinavian countries.
Aspects of duty and obedience on the parts of husband and wife are
considered at the beginning of the period under study followed by how these
changed a the Enlightenment began with its greater emphasis on individual
satisfaction rather than family commitments.
The text is
derived from a PhD thesis and is adequately referenced for further study should
the reader wish to undertake it. As a
stepping stone to considering the broader implications of John Calvin’s work in
a country in which he did not reside it as is a worthy read.
Love, Intimacy
and Power
Marriage and
Patriarchy in Scotland 1650-1850
Katie Barclay
Manchester University Press 2011
In a Blog
Post that focusses on the works of John Calvin (1509 – 1564) then why include a
review of a book that details patterns of marriage in a different period and
country from those where his life’s work predominated? John Calvin influenced the Protestant
Reformation in cities and countries far beyond Geneva, the city with which his
name is most frequently associated. This
is true of Scotland where the Reformation began in 1560 and the influence
of John Knox (1513- 1572) is extensive.
With the
Scottish Reformation came more formal schooling and increased literacy among
the population. Here Calvin’s desire for
human beings to be able to read and comprehend Scripture for themselves is
worked out. Calvin’s influence on the
governance and authority of the local Church, the Kirk is also prevalent. In this book Katie Barclay explores the
approach to marriage over two centuries through correspondences between couples
linked with data on the number of marriages, the age of the partners and
developments in other countries affected by the Protestant Reformation such as
England Wales and the Scandinavian countries.
Aspects of duty and obedience on the parts of husband and wife are
considered at the beginning of the period under study followed by how these
changed as the Enlightenment began with its greater emphasis on individual
satisfaction rather than family commitments.
The text is
derived from a PhD thesis and is adequately referenced for further study should
the reader wish to undertake it. As a
stepping stone to considering the broader implications of John Calvin’s work in
a country in which he did not reside it as is a worthy read.
