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The English Country Parson
PRE-ISBN.
This book describes and illustrates the changing social position of the village parson (vicar or rector) before and after increased taxation acted as a strong disincentive to poorer men seeking a country living. Scholars replaced farmers. Education separated the new arrival from his parishioners, who rather than resenting their difference, instead chose to look up to their parson not only as their leader in matters spiritual, but also in matters social.
All was well and good: provided that the parson was socially and financially capable of rising to the challenge. ...
This book describes and illustrates the changing social position of the village parson (vicar or rector) before and after increased taxation acted as a strong disincentive to poorer men seeking a country living. Scholars replaced farmers. Education separated the new arrival from his parishioners, who rather than resenting their difference, instead chose to look up to their parson not only as their leader in matters spiritual, but also in matters social.
All was well and good: provided that the parson was socially and financially capable of rising to the challenge. ...
246 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1947
2 people want to read
About the author
William Wilkinson Addison
12 books1 followerSir William Wilkinson Addison:
Social and topographical historian. Chairman of the Council of the Magistrates Association of England and Wales.
Deputy Lieutenant of Essex.
See http://www.theydon.org.uk/lhs/Downloa... [accessed 24-May-2012].
Social and topographical historian. Chairman of the Council of the Magistrates Association of England and Wales.
Deputy Lieutenant of Essex.
See http://www.theydon.org.uk/lhs/Downloa... [accessed 24-May-2012].
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September 4, 2014
For centuries the English country parson lived in and served his parish; a most vivid example of which can be read in Eamon Duffy’s “The Voices of Morebath”.
Addison’s “The English Country Parson” describes and illustrates the changing social position of the village parson (vicar or rector) in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, before and after increased taxation acted as a strong disincentive to poorer men seeking a country living. Scholars replaced farmers. Education separated the new arrival from his parishioners, who rather than resenting their difference, instead chose to look up to their parson not only as their leader in matters spiritual, but also in matters social. All was well and good: provided that the parson was socially and financially capable of rising to the challenge, which they very often were.
That challenge was later exacerbated by an increased freedom of movement in a population which found that firstly the steam locomotive, and secondly the motor car, opened up a desirable route of escape from one’s neighbours. Rather than staying put, gritting teeth, and getting along in a spirit of toleration, men were able to seek the company of theologically like-minded others.
So Addison moves from the prosperous, socially minded Church to the religious revival of apostolic ministry, to evangelical fervor, the warm-hearted simplicity to be found in the Northern Moorlands, refuge from Radicalisation threatened by the French Revolution, arguments over the form of music in church, and much more.
Some things never change. I was amused to read (p.148): “… ways by which a country parson can gain the goodwill of his flock. If success in the saddle was the surest way in the hunting counties, success at the wicket [i.e. the game of cricket] was often the surest in the home counties [the counties bordering London]. The parson’s first, secondly, and thirdly, in the pulpit carried far more conviction if he happened to be a first-class bowler.” That remains sound advice today.
Peppered with interesting, witty, and well observed anecdotes, this book is an excellent read for fans of Jane Austen, Edmund Blunden, etc. and anyone interested in the formation of the English way of life.
Addison’s “The English Country Parson” describes and illustrates the changing social position of the village parson (vicar or rector) in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, before and after increased taxation acted as a strong disincentive to poorer men seeking a country living. Scholars replaced farmers. Education separated the new arrival from his parishioners, who rather than resenting their difference, instead chose to look up to their parson not only as their leader in matters spiritual, but also in matters social. All was well and good: provided that the parson was socially and financially capable of rising to the challenge, which they very often were.
That challenge was later exacerbated by an increased freedom of movement in a population which found that firstly the steam locomotive, and secondly the motor car, opened up a desirable route of escape from one’s neighbours. Rather than staying put, gritting teeth, and getting along in a spirit of toleration, men were able to seek the company of theologically like-minded others.
So Addison moves from the prosperous, socially minded Church to the religious revival of apostolic ministry, to evangelical fervor, the warm-hearted simplicity to be found in the Northern Moorlands, refuge from Radicalisation threatened by the French Revolution, arguments over the form of music in church, and much more.
Some things never change. I was amused to read (p.148): “… ways by which a country parson can gain the goodwill of his flock. If success in the saddle was the surest way in the hunting counties, success at the wicket [i.e. the game of cricket] was often the surest in the home counties [the counties bordering London]. The parson’s first, secondly, and thirdly, in the pulpit carried far more conviction if he happened to be a first-class bowler.” That remains sound advice today.
Peppered with interesting, witty, and well observed anecdotes, this book is an excellent read for fans of Jane Austen, Edmund Blunden, etc. and anyone interested in the formation of the English way of life.
Displaying 1 of 1 review