This is a study of the rise of English Arminianism and the growing religious division in the Church of England during the decades before the Civil War of the 1640s. The author argues that it was Arminianism, not the rise of puritanism, that was a major cause of the war,

List of plates and map; Abbreviations and symbols; Introduction; The Hampton Court conference and Arminianism Avant la lettre; Cambridge University and Arminianism; Oxford University and Arminianism; The British delegation to the synod of Dor; Bishop Neile and the Durham house group; Richard Montague, the House of Commons, and Arminianism; The York house conference; Arminianism during the personal rule and after; Conclusion; Appendix I: From Calvinist to Arminian: the doctrinal tenor of the Paul's Cross sermons 1570-1638; Appendix II: The Arminianism of Archbishop Laud; Select bibliography; Index.

`it remains true that this book is one of the most important and suggestive contributions to early seventeenth-century ecclesiastical history to have appeared for a very long time. ... The book and its argument ... are as powerful as ever.' Times Literary Supplement `illuminating detail and rich suggestions' Times Literary Supplement `one of the most distinguished and most fertile dissertations to have been produced by the doctoral belt' London Review of Books `Certain to force scholars to re-evaluate their views on English religion under the early Stuarts, but the implications of [Tyacke's] work extend far beyond the bounds of ecclesiastical history ... closely argued, based on wide-ranging research, and because of its potential to rearrange accepted truth, fills the reader with a sense of genuine excitement.' Choice `a carefully concentrated book, rich in detail, and ingenious in tracking down people on the fringe of the movement' New York Review of Books `detailed and enthralling study ... This valuable book, one to be read by anyone with an interest in English church history, and particularly in the history of Calvinism.' The Banner of Truth `this book is one of the most important and suggestive contributions to early seventeenth-century ecclesiastical history to have appeared for a very long time ... The book and its argument ... are as powerful as ever.' Times Literary Supplement 'Nicholas Tyacke has written a very detailed and well documented study of the rise of the anti-Calvinist ... party in the Church of England ... This work is thus a valuable contribution to the historiography of the period and essential reading for students of both the ecclesiastical and political history of the time. This is a fascinating and informative book. Its attention to detail is impressive and for this reason alone it is essential reading for serious students of the period. The availability of Anti-Calvinists in paperback, and thus at a price affordable by most students, is very welcome.' Calvinism Today `Tyacke's great accomplishment is to show, from the original records of the period, how the Arminians successfully blackened the reputation of Calvinists...Dr Tyacke deserves the greatest praise for showing how, by brilliant propaganda, the English people were eventually diverted from the brief triumph of a democratic religious and political movement back to intolerance and the rule of privilege for several more centuries. His book is revelation of how high-minded lies are not only created - but kept alive.' Otto Scott's Compass