Our first lecture back...

For our first lecture back Chris delved straight back into politics and the law etc etc, with topics from Jacobitism, and Presbyterianism, to cartoon drawings of Gordon Brown depicted as a pig in The Independent, and John Major’s secret romps with Edwina Currie. For the moment I will start with the former topics, exploring Jacobitism first of all, as I had never heard of the term or been aware of the movement prior to the lecture.

So, Jacobitism refers to the political movement dedicated to the restoration of the Stuart kings to the thrones of England, Scotland and Ireland. The term was coined from the Latin form Jacobus of the name of King James II and VII. The movement was a response to the removal of James II and VII in 1688 when he was replaced by his own daughter Mary II, along with her husband and first cousin (?!) William of Orange. After that, the Stuarts resided on the European mainland, however occasionally they attempted to regain the throne with the help of fellow countries France and Spain. The primary seats of Jacobitism were Ireland and Scotland, and in England the movement was the strongest in the north. Many people supported Jacobitism because they believed parliamentary interference with monarchical succession was illegitimate. Many Catholics hoped that the Stuarts would end discriminatory laws, whilst others belonging to various allegiances became involved in military campaigns. Jacobitism is celebrated on June 10th, known as White Rose Day, and its emblem is the White Rose of York.

A brief paragraph on Presbyterianism now, which refers to a number of different Christian churches conforming to the Calvanist theological tradition within Protestantism. It typically emphasises the sovereignty of God, that is, the right to exercise the functions of the state. The religious group evolved primarily in Scotland, and the few members found in England can trace a Scottish connection somewhere in their family tree.

As for Gordon Brown and Edwina Currie, I think I will leave them for my next blog to be written very soon!