King and the Catholics

Discover the compelling history of Catholic Emancipation in Antonia Fraser's enlightening work, King and the Catholics. Published in 2019, this 336-page book delves into the tumultuous events that shaped the relationship between the Catholic Church and the British state from 1714 to 1837. Fraser chronicles the violent Anti-Catholic Gordon Riots of 1780, sparked by the gradual easing of harsh Penal Laws against Roman Catholics, and contrasts them with the later, celebrated passage of the Emancipation Bill, which marked a significant, albeit incomplete, shift in societal attitudes. Despite this progress, certain barriers remained, leaving Catholics excluded from specific roles and ensuring that the monarchy would always be Protestant. Fraser's thorough exploration invites readers to reflect on whether Irish Catholics were truly seen as a 'millstone' by the English aristocracy. This book is essential for anyone interested in the intersection of politics, religion, and history in Great Britain.