2000 Years of English History.
This book is about the remarkable people from this modest Huntingdonshire village who, over the past two millennia of England’s history, exercised power and influence both locally and on the national stage. The book gives a detailed biography of each of these characters, setting their lives in the wider context of English history from the time of the Romans to the present day.
An introduction to Chapter 26: Rev. Wilson and John Henry Newman: the Church divided
It is very difficult today to appreciate the fundamental role played by the Church of England in Victorian times in the religious, social, economic, cultural and educational fabric of this country. It is very difficult today to comprehend the furore that threatened the unity of the Church of England when John Henry Newman published his densely argued Tract 90. It might be thought that this was just an obscure theological argument of little interest to the general public and to the governance of the country. This would be a mistake. John Henry Newman was probably the most influential churchman of the nineteenth century and what he said carried political and social weight. Tract 90 threatened to split the church of England and unless its arguments were rebutted, the consequences not only for the church but for society as a whole would be momentous. The man who repudiated Newman’s thesis was the vicar of St Andrew’s church, Great Staughton. His name was Henry Bristow Wilson and this chapter tells his story.
Feedback is welcome: aw.staughton@gmail.com
NEXT WEEK: Chapter 27 The South African Campaign 1899–1902
The next chapter of the book will be uploaded to the website on Monday March 20
Click the PDF below to read Chapter 26.