Revolutionary Puritanism in the Parishes? The Case of St Olave, Old Jewry
Abstract
Revolutionary Puritanism in the Parishes? The Case of St Olave, Old Jewry J. D. ALSOP he extent, character, and significance of Puritanism within early Stuart and civil war London have proven to be vexed historical issues. We now possess the first detailed study of religion within London's parishes during the civil war period.! In Tai Liu's assessment St Olave emerged as one of the most noteworthy of the 'parochial communities', possessing a distinctive temperament: 'St Olave Old Jewry was one of the strongly Puritan and Presbyterian parishes in Revolutionary London'. 2 Although Tai Liu provides the most expansive coverage of the parish to date, this is not the first occasion when St Olave has been identified as a decidedly Puritan parish at the outbreak of the civil war. This religious sentiment was perhaps first suggested, in passing, by David Kirby. In establishing the growth of Puritan 'radicalism' within the adjoining parish of St Stephen's, Coleman Street, Kirby placed emphasis upon the subscription for the City loan to Parliament of November 1642. Only three London parishes contributed over £1000: St Stephen's came second, followed closely by the Old Jewry.3 In 1980 Ronald Herlan attempted to explain the parish's prompt adherence