William Prynne and the Politics of Reaction

William Prynne tenaciously sought to maintain the political and religious order of God's elect nation. Prynne=s view on the corruption in Charles I=s court blocked out any possibility for him to support Charles's religious programs. Prynne's concern over the destruction of God's order defined his politics and drew him into conflict with diverse notable individuals such as Charles I, Archbishop William Laud, John Lilburne, Oliver Cromwell, and John Milton. Prynne opposed Charles I, but supported the restoration of Charles II; he opposed the prosecution of Charles I, but prosecuted Laud; he advocated parliamentary sovereignty, but opposed the Army=s control and republican governments. This book hopes to define what Prynne sought to maintain. Prynne's confrontation with Archbishop William Laud, Prynne's advocacy of parliamentary sovereignty during the First Civil War, his theological and ontological disagreements with religious Independents, and his belief that the New Model Army's actions disrupted God's plan are major topics of "William Prynne and the Politics of Reaction."