John Wesley and History

Abstract

Abstract This article considers John Wesley as a historian through his Concise History of England. Wesley's History, which has been neglected by scholars, offers a religious account of history. It adopts a biographical approach while making moral assessments. Wesley focused on monarchy and their personalities while bringing vice and virtue to the forefront. His History has resonances with Bolingbroke's Toryism. Wesley explores the ‘genius of the nation’ as a factor in conflict and colonial expansion. His interest in overseas military conflicts can be seen as one of the ways in which Tory interest and ideas were maintained.