Elite Women in Ascendancy Ireland, 1690-1745
Title Details

222 Pages

23.4 x 15.6 cm

Series: Irish Historical Monographs

Series Vol. Number: 14

Imprint: Boydell Press

Elite Women in Ascendancy Ireland, 1690-1745

Imitation and Innovation

by Rachel Wilson

  • Description
  • Contents
  • Reviews
Provides a thorough examination of the role of women in Ascendancy Ireland.

The late seventeenth and early eighteenth century was a period of great social and political change within Ireland, as the Protestant Ascendancy gained control of the country, aided by the English government and aristocracy, withwhom the ruling class in Ireland mixed through marriage and travel. The resulting Anglo-Irish elite, with its distinct transnational identity, differed markedly from the preceding Irish elite, but, at the same time, because of itsIrish dimension, was very different also from the contemporary English and Scottish upper classes. Women played key roles in this Anglo-Irish elite, and the nature of the Protestant Ascendancy can only be completely understood byconsidering women's roles fully.
This book provides a thorough examination of the role of women in Ascendancy Ireland. It discusses marriage, family and social life; explores women's roles in economic and political life and in charitable activities; and places Irish elite women of this period in their wider historiographical context. The book is based on extensive original research, including among the papers of aristocratic families in Ireland and Britain, and provides a wealth of detail on elite women's lives in this period.

Rachel Wilson completed her doctorate in modern history at Queen's University, Belfast.
Introduction
The making and breaking of a marriage
Mothers and children
The lady of the house
Widows, guardians and estate managers
Society queens
Political players
Institutional philanthropy
Conclusion
Appendices: family trees
Bibliography
"Makes an important contribution in highlighting the significant place of elite women in Irish society." HISTORY
"Wilson convincingly argues that these women held prominent and powerful positions within Ireland's domestic, social, and political structures. Recommended." CHOICE

Hardcover

9781783270392

September 2015

Buy

$105.00 / £70.00

Shipping Options

Buy Ships within 2 business days

Buy

Purchasing options are not available in this country.

Ebook (EPDF)

9781782045830

September 2015

Buy

£24.99 / $29.95

Title Details

222 Pages

2.34 x 1.56 cm

Series: Irish Historical Monographs

Series Vol. Number: 14

Imprint: Boydell Press