‘Lived religion’ in eighteenth-century England: the education of poor children

The Church of England Record Society Annual Lecture 2022

Speaker: W.M. Jacob

Drawing on the insights of ‘lived religion’ this paper investigates evidence from a wide range of eighteenth century archival sources, including diocesan parochial and borough records, to illustrate the religious commitment of Anglican lay people of the ‘middling sort’ in a wide geographical range of parishes. It suggests that their devotion of money and time to provide, by a variety of means, access to spiritual development, literacy and numeracy for poor children is evidence of their living out Christian faith. Schooling was usually reinforced by providing and overseeing occupational training through apprenticeships, and providing godly literature and devotional works for apprentices and their masters and mistresses to lift children out of poverty and improve their prospects in life.

All are welcome, but those wishing to attend should book a free ticket at Eventbrite or email archives@churchofengland.org not later than Friday 1 July.

This event takes place in the Bancroft Room, Lambeth Palace Library (new building, entrance on Lambeth Palace Road). Please arrive 10 minutes before the advertised start time to allow time to take the lift to the top.