This book brings together a number of distinguished historians, literary and cultural scholars to explore the continuum of the English Republic and the Restoration of the Stuart monarchy in 1660. Examining the continuities between periods frequently regarded as discrete, the volume not only challenges a traditional period boundary but sheds much new light on the political, religious and cultural conditions before and after the restoration of monarchy and church. Essays address a wide range of topics including rebellion, religion and dissent, republicanism and political theory, theatre, opera and art. Canonical writers — Milton, Marvell, Hobbes — are discussed alongside lesser known figures, such as the projector William Petty and the prophetess Eleanor Davies, whose work equally crossed the ideological divide.
