St. Albans 1650-1700: A Thoroughfare Town and Its People

This study of the small cathedral city of St. Albans offers a rare insight into social change in a typical English community between 1650 and 1700. An examination of the town's domestic, religious, and commercial buildings and a unique attempt at family reconstitution coupled with the analysis of social structure from gentry, merchants, traders, and humbles artisans provides urban historians with an important resource. Particular attention is paid to evolving religious and political beliefs during the turbulent time between Cromwell's Commonwealth and the accession of Queen Anne in 1688.

Author Biography: J. T. Smith and M. A. North are editors for the St. Albans 17th-century research group.