Paul’s Cross and Nationwide Special Worship, 1533–1642

Abstract

Paul's Cross, one of the most important outdoor public preaching places in England, is well known as a 'site of persuasion'. It was there that 'free-standing' sermons - that is to say, sermons not delivered as part of a religious service, were preached on issues of government policy as well as on doctrine; where public penance and recantations were performed; where prohibited books were publicly burned, and where proclamations were published. It was also an important venue for public discourse and protest, and a centre for news-gathering. Less well known is a particular 'form of persuasion': occasions of special worship. Catholics, evangelicals, and protestants had broadly shared beliefs in divine providence, the belief which underpinned special worship, and the preaching of sermons in the vernacular had been a common part of Catholic special worship since at least the reign of Edward I. Keywords: Catholic special worship; Edward I; England; evangelicals; Paul's Cross