Jacobean Kirk, 1567–1625

Alan R. MacDonald, University of St Andrews, UK

• Contents: Introduction; The formative years, 1567-85; Compromise and conflict, 1586-92; The untidy tumble towards crisis, 1592-96; The road to consensus, 1597-1602; The regal union and the collapse of consensus, 1603-06; The new autocracy, 1606-10; New polity, new liturgy, 1610-25; Conclusion; Appendix: maps; Bibliography; Index.

'A shrewd, robust and healthy revision not only of the Jacobean Kirk, but of James himself and his first realm....This is a splendid study in a myriad different ways, and, above all, it puts the sterile 'two kingdoms' debate behind and moves to scrutiny of an energetic, constantly changing church.' TLS '...a distinguished addition to the St Andrews Studies in Reformation History. It is a complex story of conflict and compromise, controversy and consensus, and this book makes it clear that iron-clad opinions...were far outnumbered by more flexible positions...MacDonald’s careful research will rewrite this aspect of British ecclesiastical history.' Bibliotheque d’Humanisme et Renaissance, Vol. 61, No. 2 'His careful study of the fluid patterns of opinion among the church members, the royal policy toward the Kirk, and the relationship of the Kirk to the Church of England breaks new ground.' Theology Digest, Vol. 46, No. 4