Wow! eBook
Cosmo Lang: Archbishop in War and Crisis
Author(s): Robert Beaken (Author), Rowan Williams (Foreword)
- Publisher: I.B.Tauris
- Publication Date: 30 Sept. 2012
- Language: English
- Print length: 320 pages
- ISBN-10: 1780763557
- ISBN-13: 9781780763552
Book Description
Shortlisted for the HW Fisher First Biography Prize and the Royal Historical Society’s Whitfield Book Prize
In December 1936, at the height of the Abdication Crisis, Cosmo Gordon Lang, Archbishop of Canterbury held the fate of the British monarchy in his hands. Together with the Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin, he helped to manoeuvre Edward VIII from the throne and to replace him with the king s brother, the Duke of York, who was to become George VI. It was a move which would have far-reaching consequences for the course of British history. The period 1928-1942 saw some of the greatest political and social upheavals in modern British history and Lang was at the centre of these. As Archbishop of Canterbury, he led the Church of England through this tumultuous period and was a pivotal influence in political and religious decision-making. Although Lang has often been seen as a fairly unsuccessful archbishop who was resistant to change, Robert Beaken shows that he was, in fact, an effective leader of the Church at a difficult time. He also proved to be a sensitive leader during wartime, opposing any demonization of the enemy and showing compassion to conscientious objectors. Drawing on previously unseen material, Beaken tells the story of a fascinating, yet complicated man, who was Britain s first modern Archbishop of Canterbury.
Editorial Reviews
Review
Robert Beaken has uncovered a real historical scoop: Archbishop Lang s precise, and decisive, role in the abdication of Edward VIII is now stripped bare. But this is only one dramatic feature of a highly readable biography which casts new light on Lang and enriches our knowledge of his times. – –A.N. Wilson
I am immensely enthusiastic about Robert Beaken’s
Cosmo Lang… not just because it combines judgement and pace in telling the story of the Abdication, but because it establishes a vivid and convincing picture of the man at the helm of the Church of England from 1928 to 1942… The new Archbishop of Canterbury, if he has not read this book already, should not delay in doing so. – –Christopher Howse, The Telegraph‘Highly informative.’ –Bernard Palmer, Church Times
‘
Cosmo Lang is a major work of historical scholarship. It effects a profound revision in our understanding of a critical figure in the ecclesiastical life of early twentieth-century England. It also makes a significant contribution to the political and social history of pre-war Britain more generally. It is beautifully written. And it is a compelling read.’ –S.J.D. Green, Standpoint‘Highly informative.’ –Bernard Palmer, Church Times
‘
Cosmo Lang is a major work of historical scholarship. It effects a profound revision in our understanding of a critical figure in the ecclesiastical life of early-twentieth century England. It also makes a significant contribution to the political and social history of pre-war Britain more generally. It is beautifully written. And it is a compelling read.’ –S.J.D. Green, Standpoint‘Highly informative.’ –Bernard Palmer, Church Times
‘
Cosmo Lang is a major work of historical scholarship. It effects a profound revision in our understanding of a critical figure in the ecclesiastical life of early-twentieth century England. It also makes a significant contribution to the political and social history of pre-war Britain more generally. It is beautifully written. And it is a compelling read.’ –S.J.D. Green, Standpoint
