A History of the Church in England

by John R.H. Moorman

This authoritative account of the Church of England covers its history from earliest times: the Roman, Celtic, Anglo-Saxon, Normal and Medieval periods before a description of the Reformation and its effects, the Stuart period and the Industrial Age, with a final chapter on the Modern Church.

Genres: History, Church History, Christian, Religion, Christianity, Nonfiction, Church

485 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1953

About the author

Bishop John Richard Humpidge Moorman, BD, DD

Ordained an Anglican minister in 1929 and appointed Bishop of Ripon in 1959. He led the delegation of Church of England clergy that was invited to observe the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965).

Reviews

[Edoardo Albert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delicious book - in the same manner that taking tea with an extremely well-read, gossipy and slightly camp vicar would be. In fact, it's not hard to imagine sipping at the cup, with a slice of cake on the table, as Bishop Moorman (he was bishop of Ripon) holds forth on the failings and foibles of his predecessors in ecclesiastical office.

In fact, this might be the best one-volume history of England I've read. By using the church as the lens, it magnifies and illuminates history in all sorts of interesting ways; something comparable (although over two much longer volumes) was done by NAM Rodger in his Naval History of Britain, with similarly fascinating results. The history of a country is so multi-faceted that a single volume work can easily either lose itself in distinctions or fall into triviality - Moorman, and notwithstanding his occasionally waspish tone, does neither. The only regret is that the history stops just after the Second World War (although checking the records, there was a revised 1973 edition which would be worth reading - I read the original '53 printing) and it would be fascinating to know his assessment of the last half century. As it is, Bishop Moorman must be looking at all our goings on with the wry amusement of the dead at the antics of the living.

Give him something else to be amused at: seek out and read his book.

[Jon Beadle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moorman did the nearly impossible with this book. And while it is a little dated, at least it carries with a vision for the Anglican Church that is robust. A must read for anyone considering the Anglican tradition.

[FatherSwithin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Required reading for DLP201 - Church History, Fr Russell, St Joseph of Arimathea Anglican College, Berkeley, CA.

[Jacob Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moorman's now-classic text presents an excellent, engaging overview of English church history from Christianity's arrival in the British Isles until the mid- to late-20th century. As it is not a large volume, some details are passed very quickly. However, one gets a decent general sense of each era, and the footnotes are a wonderful guide for digging deeper. Moorman has given us a fantastic introductory text.

[Mike Bright · Rating 5 out of 5]

This traces the history of Christianity then the Church of England from 100 AD to 1972. Of course the church and the state are deeply intertwined, so it is also a history of the various monarchs. The history seems pretty even-handed. I was relatively informed on British history, but learned a lot along the way. What is now the Anglican church has always been a church in tension with various streams in the church from more conservative and Catholic leaning to more liberal and Protestant/Calvinist leaning.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this history book very readable and engaging. Somewhat opinionated, of course, but that creates all the more interest.

[Dan Glover · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a solid history of the church in England, not just of the post-reformation Anglican church. It is written by an insider, a bishop, who is also a scholar. This was required reading for an Anglican History and Theology course at Regent College (along with Paul Avis's "Anglicanism and the Christian Church" and Stephen Neill's "Anglicanism," and other selections). The three books together do an able job of telling the historical, political and theological story of the Church of England, but this book alone is also worth anyone's time who is interested in the history of development of the CoE up until the mid-1970s.

[Ken Cook · Rating 3 out of 5]

With an extensive trip planned to the UK, taking a focus on cathedrals, I eagerly looked forward to this book. Unfortunately, the e-book is poorly proofread with numerous misspellings and replacing "the" with "die" left this reader disconcerted, reducing much enjoyment while reading a learned tome. Footnotes are seemingly randomly sprinkled throughout the text.Just not a decent presentation.

The historical work is admirable, giving a detailed understanding of how the Christian church in England evolved from Roman missionaries to the separation under Henry VIII and how the Church played as important a role in English civilization as royalty.

[Ronald Schoedel III · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, the tone of this book is delightful. Bishop Moorman, whilst being as earnest and committed a churchman as one could possibly imagine, is not afraid or embarrassed to admit the shortcomings of the church in its 1800 years of history in England. This book has it all: the really good, the sort of good, the bad, and the ugly. I’m always down for some institutional humility! He traces the history of Christianity from its earliest introduction in the British isles to 1979, the latest edition I know of (am updating of the original 1953 work). For one wanting a good primer on the Anglican faith and its various twists and turns over the years, this is a perfect introduction. He addresses various factions and parties (evangelical vs Anglo-Catholic, for example), talks about the rise of Methodism and nonconformists, later ecumenical movements, and the unavoidable tension between church and state in an established church. I appreciated seeing how much of the history of England has been touched for the better by movements and ideas that sprang from within the church.

[Nancy Fees · Rating 5 out of 5]

For someone who dislikes reading history, this is NOT a yawner. Mr Moorman's style is easy reading. He seems to have figured out the bits to leave out; that said, I enjoyed being by a computer when I was reading this, so that I could look things up from time to time for more detail. Bravo, Mr. Moorman. You have done the nearly impossible: made me enjoy reading a history book. It is NOT dry.
Read with a robust red, and then some bread, lightly leavened.

[Pam Keevil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very detailed account of the politics and wranglings between church and state and within the church since the Anglo Saxon and Roman period up to 1950s. Fortunately the structure means it is easy to find out specific information as each chapter is clearly sub headed. There is very little social history of the impacts of changes on the lives of the people but it is a surprise to discover how closely church and state were intertwined.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This immensely readable book covers hundreds of years of history yet remains coherent throughout. It was particularly fascinating to see the big picture surrounding the controversies of the church that I had read about as individual events in histories, novels, and biographies. It gave so much context to English history!
It was long, it was sometimes a chore to keep reading, but it was worth it.

[Michael McGee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sweeping history of the church in England volume. Great resource for the Anglican communion. Regrettably, the history ends in the mid seventies. Still, for those looking for a big overview that deals with some of the larger nuance of the reformation in England, it’s a great book. Read for ordination requirements in for holy orders in the Anglican Mission in America (Anglican Communion).

[Rob Markley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid although a little dry and a lacking in the power of God at work. The history of the church ought to be a spiritual history not merely a human history

[Michael Schwandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I only wish that it covered more recent church history.

[Gerald Savelson]

Very informative

[Hattie Sabri]

A good comprehensive book that's not too challenging for people who know very little on the subject. Good old school writing.

[Mark Einselen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An impressive account of the history of Christianity in England. I loved learning about how far back the missionary work began.

[Bobby Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a historical textbook it is pretty solid. Unfortunately the last 4 chapters seem to fall flat

[Evan Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Upon Sonedayes to cease. godes servyce to hear
Bothe matyns and messe. and, after mete, in churches
To hear their evensong, every man oughte.”
- William Langland
Total nerd out material. Great book!

[Lynn]

Reading for a class at Pacific Theological Seminary.

[Jason Merritt · Rating 4 out of 5]

clear, and concise but thorough, but assumes a knowledge of broader English history than the average reader will likely possess.

[Paul/Suzette Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was expecting a dry and boring historical survey of the English Church. It was a tightly packed historical survey, yes, but 'twas neither dry, nor boring. War, intrigue, political & social machinations, scandal, corruption stood in stark contrast (at times) with genuine selflessness, Christian charity, and a tireless fight (sometimes physical, other times spiritual), to build up the church and provide a unique form of worship to the English people which is neither fully Catholic nor Protestant, but in many ways both. (I know this is an oversimplification, but accurate enough for a general audience) Believe it or not, it was a page turner. I learned as much about English History as I did about the particulars of the church in that country. Very readable; very interesting.

[Lauren Albert · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a surface history of the church in England which barely covers the theological issues debated through the centuries. This is not a criticism just a statement of fact. It is a decent introduction for someone wanting the basic facts. Moorman is also a believer and, while he tries to be open-minded, and mostly succeeds, he still clearly has his beliefs which come out throughout the text never more than at the end when he writes,

"[W]e can cherish the hope of a coming unity of all Christian people in truth and in holiness."

So don't pick up the book expecting an objective history. But he does a good job especially in the earlier section with providing an introduction to British church history.

[JM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book to gain more information of the Church in England. Moorman is really talented at giving much information in very small but managable doses. The history of the Church of England was breezed over during my seminary days. I'm glad to have read this book.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the broad strokes of the first two thirds, but got bogged down in the Tractarians, as the dates and names and details got increasingly accounted for...that's how most linear history accounts go, I suppose...

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good history of the development of Christianity in England from the time of the Romans through the beginning of the 20th Century. Of particular interest was the time of the Reformation, explaining the different views of the people and the eventual coalescing around the Anglican Church.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

I remember this as the best history of anything i had ever read, and carried it around until my paperback edition fell apart. Ten or more years later i'm looking forward to reading it again to see how/if my appreciation has changed.

[Mark Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really impressed with this so far. Very readable, even hard to put down!

It may be a must read for those interested in English Church History.

[Zoe Hoster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Informative, not too academic. Good starting point for reading in more detail about a given topic