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" Politics and culture in the city 1660-1790 : "
Whinton, Emma Jean.
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Latin Dissertation
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| Record Number
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1092826
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TLets251088
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| Main Entry
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Whinton, Emma Jean.
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| Title & Author
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Politics and culture in the city 1660-1790 :\ Whinton, Emma Jean.
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| College
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University of Liverpool
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| Date
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2000
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| student score
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2000
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| Degree
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Ph.D.
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| Abstract
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This thesis examines the political and cultural development of a 'majorEnglish city from the Restoration to the eve of the French Revolution. During thisperiod many English boroughs were to experience the interference of royal regulationin the 1660s and 1680s, face two new regimes, under William III and George I, andtwo armed rebellions, in 1715 and 1745. By focusing on one important provincialtown which felt the direct impact of these events, the influence of the corporation indealing with these developments will be discussed.The central focus is the role of the corporation, a little studied organ of localgovernment, and the impact it could exert over the city's development. By studyingthe impact of politics on urban society, the important role of the corporate body canbe seen. Several key themes are developed, showing the existence and impact offaction within the corporation, the growth in influence of the Grosvenor family ofEaton Hall and the challenges to the elitist nature of the corporate body.Chester developed socially and culturally during this period and this thesiswill chart the changing experience of the city as it responded to both national andlocal initiatives. This is seen through the development of the town's economy, intrade and communication improvements, and through the development of shops andwholesale facilities. Changes were visible in the fabric of the town, with new roads,public buildings, amenities, the foundation of a charity school and infirmary, and theprovision of entertainment for a leisured elite. The corporation was instrumental insome, although not all, of the cultural changes taking place within the city and had animpact on the development of the cityscape.The corporation is examined as an institution of local government, whosemembership indicates the workings of the local elite. The corporation's direction ofthe city's general development and its key role in representing the city's interests,especially in trade, is a continuing theme in the later chapters, showing theconnection between Chester's political and cultural development.The bulk of this thesis is covered by a chronologically-based analysis of thecity's political development 1660-1790. Of central interest before 1700 is the strugglefor the control of the corporation, which was especially fierce 1682-1697. After aperiod of political stability at the beginning of the eighteenth century, the growth inthe influence of the Grosvenors had an impact on both the city of Chester and thecorporate body. Analysis suggests, however, that the dominance of this family wasnot a foregone conclusion, and that the corporate body had a significant role to playin the relationship between the city and the Grosvenors. By the end of the eighteenthcentury this relationship was seen as oppressive to the freemen of the city, a factionof whom challenged the elitist nature of the corporation in an attempt to free one ofthe city's parliamentary seats.Throughout the period the corporation dictated the pace of local change, andthis thesis illustrates the impact of this organisation upon urban society. In Chester,the corporation had an influence over the development of the city and significantlyaffected the city's political and cultural life.
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History
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University of Liverpool
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