The Contentious Crown

'...Williams' account of public discourse on Victoria and her monarchy provides an insightful and stimulating analysis, which should be read by any historian seeking to understand the complex web of nineteenth-century political culture.' Albion, Vol. 31, No. 1 'Williams has brought some important critical scrutiny to the Marxist cliché that the monarchy is an invented tradition of the late nineteenth century meant by the bourgeoisie to mystify the Victorian working classes...Williams offers both encouragement to would-be critics of the monarchy and a calming historical perspective to those who would be king.' American Historical Review '...a thoughtful analysis of the scope and intensity of the monarchy debate in the nineteenth century.' English Historical Review

Zusammenfassung
First published in 1997, The Contentious Crown is a study of comment on the monarchy in Victorian newspapers, journals, pamphlets and parliamentary debates.

Inhalt

1. Introduction. 2. Radical and Republican Criticism of the Monarchy, 1837-61. 3. The Rise and Fall of the British Republican Movement, 1861-1901. 4. Perceptions of Political Power and Partisanship, 1837-61. 5. Perceptions of Political Power and Partisanship, 1861-1901. 6. The Monarchy, Patriotism and Nationalism. 7. Reverence and Sentimentality towards the Monarchy and Royal Family. 8. Attitudes to Royal Ceremonial. 9. Conclusion.