Cathedrals and the British Revolution

Cathedrals played a pivotal role in the British Revolution, marking its violent beginning and symbolic end. The first act of unrest occurred at St Giles's Cathedral in Edinburgh on 23 July 1637, during protests against the Scottish Prayer Book, while the Revolution concluded with Charles II's return to Canterbury Cathedral on 27 May 1660, where he attended a church service using the Book of Common Prayer. This study highlights how cathedrals, once central to Catholic devotion, became contested symbols during the Reformation and were later reinstated as markers of monarchy restoration across the three kingdoms. The research examines the transition of cathedral functions from traditional Catholic practices to Protestant norms, emphasizing their significance in political and religious narratives.

Atherton, I. (2011). Cathedrals and the British Revolution. The Experience of Revolution in Stuart Britain and Ireland, 96–116. https://doi.org/10.1017/cbo9780511975745.008