The Old Enemies: Catholic and Protestant in Nineteenth-Century English Culture

by Michael Wheeler

Even in the industrial nineteenth century, age-old theological disagreements were the cause of religious and cultural conflicts between Catholics and Protestants. This book asks why these ancient divisions were so deep and have prevailed and how novelists and poets, theologians and preachers, historians and essayists reinterpreted the religious debates. Michael Wheeler explains how each side misunderstood the other's deeply held beliefs about history, authority, doctrine and spirituality, and, conversely, how these theological conflicts inspired creativity in the arts.

370 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Darrick Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michael Wheeler's account of the relationship between Catholicis and Protestants in Victorian England is a very readable book by a veteran scholar of Victorian literature and religion. The book deals with the renewed strain of anti-Catholic sentiment which resulted from the resurgence of Catholicism in mid-nineteenth century England. The book examines works of novelists, historians, popular journalists and politicians, as well as well known religious writers such as Newman, Pusey, and others, to paint a picture of what this renewed sense of a threat from Catholicism looked like. Wheeler does not really have an argument to make it seems, but does have something of an assumption which makes his narrative of interest. Wheeler defined himself as an "Anglo-Catholic" in his introduction, and makes clear his sympathy with Catholicism throughout the book. If it does have a thesis of any kind, it would be that the renewed expressions of anti-Catholic sentiment were linked to fears about the Tractarians within the Church of England, and that language of anti-Catholicism was used against "Anglo-Catholics" within the C of E as well, something that students of seventeenth century Britain will find rather familiar. Wheeler is at his best when giving readings of literature, especially "non-canonical" literature, such as the popular anti-Catholic novels of the day, or indeed of Newman's novels, which are not much read today. His sensitivity to the nuances of the debates between "Protestants" (which he defines as anyone not in communion with Rome, basically) and Catholics is very enlightening, and very informative as well.