The Plain Man's Pathways to Heaven: Kinds of Christianity in Post-Reformation England, 1570-1640. Christopher Haigh. Oxford University Press

Contemporary Review, Summer, 2008

The Plain Man's Pathways to Heaven: Kinds of Christianity in Post-Reformation England, 1570-1640. Christopher Haigh. Oxford University Press. [pounds sterling]25.00. xii 284 pages. ISBN 978-0-19-921650-5. This is a form of 'micro' history, a study of 'how ordinary people saw and practised their own religion' and what they though about others in the reigns of Elizabeth I, James I and Charles I (up to 1640).

Mr Haigh has examined contemporary analyses and polemic tracts, wills, churchwardens' accounts, and court records and he readily admits that all these sources have their limits: people get their facts wrong, lie and pretend. Much was concealed. He looks at the work of incumbents and then divides his study into certain aspects of parochial life: the ignorant, the indifferent, the Godly, the role of authority, the doubters and scoffers, Recusants and what might be called 'emotional Catholics'. To make the story even more complicated, people and their attitudes changed over these 70 years. This is a good book, deeply researched and written in a clear and often enjoyable manner. It may not give a definitive answer but one doubts there will be a better study. (J.M.)