In early Victorian England there was intense interest in understanding the early Church as an inspiration for contemporary sanctity. This was manifested in a surge in archaeological inquiry and also in the construction of new churches using medieval models. Some Anglicans began to use a much more complicated form of ritual involving vestments, candles, and incense. This "Anglo-Catholic" movement was vehemently opposed by evangelicals and dissenters, who saw this as the vanguard of full-blown "popery." The disputed buildings, objects, and art works were regarded by one side as idolatrous and by the other as sacred and beautiful expressions of devotion. Dominic Janes seeks to understand the fierce passions that were unleashed by the contended practices and artifacts - passions that found expression in litigation, in rowdy demonstrations, and even in physical violence. During this period, Janes observes, the wider culture was preoccupied with the idea of pollution caused by improper sexuality. The Anglo-Catholics had formulated a spiritual ethic that linked goodness and beauty. Their opponents saw this visual worship as dangerously sensual. In effect, this sacred material culture was seen as a sexual fetish. The origins of this understanding, Janes shows, lay in radical circles, often in the context of the production of anti-Catholic pornography which titillated with the contemplation of images of licentious priests, nuns, and monks.
| ISBN | 0195378512 | | Pages | 259 | | ISBN13 | 9780195378511
(What's this?) | | Volumes | 1 | | Publisher | Oxford University Press Inc | | Weight (grammes) | 498 | | Imprint | Oxford University Press Inc | | Published in | New York | | Format | Hardback | | Height (mm) | 242 | | Publication date | 23 Apr 2009 | | Width (mm) | 162 | | Library of Congress | 2008034901 | | Spine width (mm) | 18 | | DEWEY | 283.4209034 | | Academic level | General | | DEWEY edition | DC22 | |
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| | | List of Illustrations | | |
| 1 | | Introduction: Victorian Reformation | | 3 |
| | | Idolatry and Fetishism | | 14 |
| 2 | | Art and Sacrament | | 25 |
| | | Ritualism | | 34 |
| 3 | | Riots and Trials in London, 1840-60 | | 51 |
| | | Bennett, 1843-51 | | 54 |
| | | Liddell, 1851-57 | | 73 |
| 4 | | Satan Transformed: Comparative Religion | | 93 |
| | | 'Primitive' Religion from Rome to Home | | 97 |
| | | Bodies of Christ | | 111 |
| | | The Horror Is All Mine | | 130 |
| 5 | | Gothic Novelties | | 135 |
| | | Facing Corruption | | 139 |
| | | Texts and Profits | | 146 |
| 6 | | Conclusion: The Convenient Despot | | 163 |
| | | Notes | | 185 |
| | | Bibliography | | 205 |
| | | Index | | 235 |
"[a] fine study. . . Janes' approach is lively and original. . . Victorian Reformation is a stimulating volume that is likely to become an important point of reference in future discussions of Victorian religion and cultural history'.--Britain and the World
"This engagingly written and handsomely produced volume. . . corruscates with ideas. . . thoughful, thought provoking, informative. . . convincing, and a welcome addition to the literature on Victorian religious controversy."--Journal of British Studies
"interesting and stimulating study"--Contemporary Review
"The ambition of Janes's book is to be applauded. . . Janes's theses are bold and provocative and will be of interest to all specialists in nineteenth-century English Christian history. The case study of 1850s Knightsbridge, where the fight over idolatry resulted in riots, legal actions and political maneuvering, is the highlight of a very interesting book."-- Religious Studies Review
"Janes's di
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