The 17th and 18th centuries were years of political, constitutional and religious conflict in England, Scotland and Ireland. They were also a period of civil wars and conflagration. The aim of this book is to provide an understanding of the political, social and religious attitudes of the period 1587 to 1784. I have tried to illustrate these aspects through the songs and music. The songs are laid out in chronological order. They cover the important events of the period.
The songs begin with the execution of Mary Queen of Scots in 1587, and the accession of James I (of England) or VI of Scotland. They cover the important constitutional issues, which led to the major battles of the Civil War. There are songs from and about Cromwell's Commonwealth, the Restoration 1660, the Dutch Wars, the abdication of James III, The South Sea Bubble, The Jacobite Rebellions of 1715 and 1745, and their aftermath. The book is complemented with a brief history. Also, there are separate notes explaining the historical and political context of each song, as well as a chronology of important dates.