Patriotism, Power and Print: National Consciousness in Tudor England By Gillian Brennan A masterly study of national consciousness, language and literature in 16th century England, exploring the nature of patriotism, the different modes of cultural expression it finds, and its use in political and religious propaganda. ISBN-13: 9780227679623 Specifications: 234x156mm, 176pp, Hardback Price: £40.00 • US$82.50 Publication: May 2003 Order this Title Now

About this Book

Gillian Brennan examines national consciousness, language and literature in 16th century England. She explores patriotism and discusses its nature, the different modes of cultural expression it finds, and analyses its use in political and religious propaganda.

The author draws a distinction between nationalism and patriotism, investigates the etymology of both words and sets out to examine the connotations of patriotism in its own right - not as being nascent nationalism. Surprising disparities appear between loyalty to the nation and loyalty to the crown and the author reveals the monarch’s ambivalent attitude to patriotism and challenges the perceived unified national spirit in Elizabeth’s reign by examining a range of literature of the period.

Patriotism in drama and in poetry is examined and in this way Brennan gives the reader a new and exciting perspective on many aspects of life and perception in the sixteenth century.

Download the Contents and Introduction here (PDF, 130KB)

About the Author

Gillian Brennan is a lecturer in History at St Helens College, Merseyside and has taught a Life, Thought and History course at Liverpool John Moores University. She has had a number of articles published on patriotism and language.