The Anti-Popish Grand Tour: Defining Protestantism through Travel
Based on analysis of an anonymous early eighteenth century pamphlet describing a Grand Tour of Europe, this project explores the ways in which English critiques of Catholicism surfaced among Englishmen abroad. The eighteenth century was the age of the Grand Tour, or, the travel of aristocratic Englishmen to continental Europe to experience its culture, history, and pleasures.
Yet, travel to the Continent and experience of the glories of art, history, and culture in places like Rome also meant encountering the heartland of Catholic Europe. Tales of this encounter by travelers reveals the continued depth of England’s strident Protestantism in the eighteenth century as well as the development of a cultural of ridicule surrounding Catholic belief.
Bibliography
Primary Sources
A. F. The travels of an English gentleman from London to Rome, on foot. Containing, a comical
description of what he met with remarkable in every city, town, and religious house in his whole journey. Also An Account of their Ridiculous Religious Processions and Ceremonies, in their Churches, thro’ their Streets, and in the Woods. Likewise The Debauch’d Lives, and Amorous Intrigues of the Lustful Priests, and Leacherous Nuns. With A Pleasant Account of the opening the Holy Gate of St. Peters Church; also Reflections upon the Superstition and Poppish Pageantry of the whole Ceremony of the last Grand Jubilee at Rome. Now Published for the Diversion and Information of the Protestants of England. The second edition, with additions. London, 1704
Secondary Sources
Jeremy Black. The British Abroad: The Grand Tour in the Eighteenth Century. Sparkford: Sutton Publishing Limited, 2003.
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