About

I began this blog when I was doing an MA in early modern history at Birkbeck. The MA is now done, but the blog has remained as an outlet for my interest in the early modern period.

I am currently researching and writing a life of the ironmonger, pamphleteer and preacher Henry Walker. Walker is well-known to anyone who studies the politics of the English Civil Wars; but he is entirely obscure to anyone else, and he remains something of a figure of fun even amongst scholars. Many historians take the criticisms of his opponents at face value, and have tended to dismiss him as a result. I think there is more to him than that, though.

I have blogged about Walker a number of times on this site:

• Uncovering his dates of birth, marriage and death.
• His family in early seventeenth-century Derby.
• His pamphlet war with John Taylor in 1641. (Note that there are a number of arguments in this post with which I no longer agree).
• His role in the “petition war” between Sir Thomas Aston and Sir William Brereton in 1641.
• The appearance of some his works in a woodcut commenting on the social consequences of pamphleteering.
• His activity as a bookseller in 1641.
• His attempt to petition Charles I directly with a pamphlet called To Your Tents, O Israel in 1642.
• His Office of Entries, set up in 1649.
• His first biographer, “J. B. Williams”, aka J. G. Muddiman.

There are a number of secondary works that are useful starting points for finding out more about Walker:

• J. B. Williams, A History of English Journalism to the foundation of the Gazette (1908). See also his chapter in the Cambridge History of English and American Literature (1907-21).
• Joad Raymond, ‘Walker, Henry (fl. 1638–1660)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (2004).
• Joad Raymond, The Invention of the Newspaper: English Newsbooks, 1641-1649 (1996).
• Jason Peacey, Politicians and Pamphleteers: Propaganda during the English Civil Wars and Interregnum (2004).

Below is a preliminary list of publications that I am either confident or suspect were written or sold by Walker. It departs in places from titles attributed to Walker by J. B. Williams, Wing, and the ESTC.

Pamphlets

1640	A gad of steele, wrought and tempered for the heart
1641	Prelacie is miserie, or, The suppressing of prelaticall government
1641	The prelates pride
1641	To the high and honourable court of Parliament, the humble petition of sundry of the nobles, knights, gentry, ministers, freeholders, and divers thousands of the inhabitants of the county palatine of Chester, whose names are subscribed to the several schedules hereunto annexed.
1641	Canterburies dreame
1641	An answer to a foolish pamphlet entituled A swarme of sectaries & schismaticks
1641	Taylors physicke has purged the divel
1641	A remarkable revelation of the wandrings of the Church of England
1641	A true copie of the disputation held betweene Master Walker and a Iesuite
1641	The recantation, and humble submission of two ancient prelates, of the kingdome of Scotland subscribed by their own hands
1641	The Kings Majesties resolution, and the Parliaments determination
1641	A motion humbly presented to the consideration of the honourable, the committee of the high Court of Parliament
1641	A discovery of the notorious proceedings of William Laud
1641	A bull from Rome, consisting of 15. pardons for delinquents in these kingdoms
1641	Canterburie[s] pilgrimage
1641	Nevves from Rome
1641	The apprentices vvarning-piece
1641	The Original of the popish ljturgie
1641	An exact copy of a letter sent to William Laud
1641	A true discovery of a bloody plott
1641	Corda Angliae: or, The generall expressions of the land
1641	A proclamation for the immediate fortifying of the citie of Dublin
1641	A terrible out-cry against the loytering exalted prelates
1641	An act published by the General Assembly of Scotland
1641	The churches purity
1641	The heavenly guide to true peace of conscience
1642	The sermon of Henry Walker, ironmonger: having beene twice apprehended, for writing seditious pamphlets. Being both times rescued out of the hands of the officers. And now preacheth up and downe the City.
1642	Five lookes over the professors of the English Bible
1643	The modest vindication of Henry VValker. In answer to certaine scandalous pamphlets, forged and vented abroad in his name (withou[t]: his privity.) Against which, as also the authours thereof, together with the popular aspersions of many other turbulent spirits, he doth protest; and before almighty God, clear himselfe to all the world.
1643	The remonstrance of the Commons of England, to the House of Commons assembled in Parliament. Preferred to them by the hands of the speaker.
1644	Ecce homo; the little Parliament unbowelled: with, the substance, quality, and disposition of the outward members; and inward faculties, vertues, and properties. The glory of the good ones, and sad condition of rotten back-sliders.
1646	A reply to a letter printed at Newcastle vnder the name of an answer, sent to the ecclesiasticall Assembly at London, about matters concerning the king, and the government of the church. With the copy of the said letter to the Assembly, in the name of John Deodate, D. D. Also, a certificate from one of the scribes of the Assembly at London.
1647	A vvord in the Kings eare. Represented to his majestie to be taken into consideration, with the propositions of both kingdomes for peace. Dread Soveraigne,
1647	Gentlemen, the bills from [hand] Iohn Booker stuck upon posts the last Lords day, are scandalous impudent lyes. …
1648	A motion propounded to the Committee of Parliament, for redresse of the publique grievances of the kingdome. Desired to be taken into consideration, before they present their reports of the House of Commons. For satisfaction of the kingdome, and setling the people in their just rights, by a firme and lasting peace. By Neh: Lavvkerry. Janua. 15. 1647. Imprimatur Gilbert Mabbot.
1648	Severall speeches delivered at a conference concerning the power of Parliament, to proeeed [sic] against their King for misgovernment. In which is stated:
1648	Vindiciae contra Tyrannos
1648	An elogie or eulogie on the obits of the Right Honourable Ferdinando Lord Fairefax: vvho dyed upon Munday, the 13th of March, anno Dom. 1647.
1648	The Protestants grammar, for helpe to beleevers to understand the Scripture. Concerning the name, essence and attributes of God the, union of the Trinity, and the glory of the eternall Majesty. To know what the soule is, whence it comes, when and how it enters into the body. Its originall purity, how defiled, what is its essence, power, sense, vitalls, passions, and faculties: its passage to joy or torment, and its abode after death: and the vertues and faculties of the body and minde, with the relations of the flesh and spirit each to othet [sic]. What the resurrection is. And how to be sensible what heaven and hell, joy and torment are. Written by Henry Walker, S.S. Theol. S.
1648	A declaration, collected out of the journalls of both Houses of Parliament. And some passages, concerning the King, the army, city and kingdome.
1648	Vindiciae contra Tyrannos
1649	A sermon, preached in the Kings Chappell at VVhite-Hall, on Sunday last July 15. 1649. By Henry Walker cleric. author of the Perfect occurrences.
1649	Bereshit, the creation of the vvorld being an exposition on the Hebrew in the first chapter of Genesis. As it was delivered at Sir Balthazar Gerbiers academy in White Fryers. By Henry Walker, minister of Gods Word at Knightsbridge, and formerly student of Queens Colledge i Cambridge. The first oration, concerning the first dayes work. Imprimatur, Hen: Scobell, cleric:parliamenti.
1650	A sermon preached in the chappell at Sommerset-House in the Strand, on Thursday the 27 day of June 1650. It being the day on which the Lord Generall Cromwell entred into his power of being Captain Generall and Commander in Chief of all the forces raised, and to be raised by authority of Parliament, within the Common-wealth of England. Wherein are comfortable doctrines, and very usefull applications for these present times. By Hen: Walker minister of Gods word, at Knightsbridge in Middlesex.
1653	Spirituall experiences, of sundry beleevers. Held forth by them at severall solemne meetings, and conferences to that end. With the recommendation of the sound, spiritual, and savoury worth of them, to the sober and spirituall reader, by Vavasor Powel, minister of the gospel.
1653	A catechisme to be learned for the training up of youth in the Grounds of Christian Religion
1654	Tragemata, sweet-meats. Or, resolves in all cases who are beleevers. In which many divine delicates that have been hid from doubting beleevers are unvailed and spread before them, and their warrants made plaine to have a right to that glory which dazels their eys [sic]. Together with the mysteries of Emmanuel, shewing how God reveals himself in the mysteries of his names to his peculiar ones. With an unfolding of the great mystery of the new covenant, to those who are interessed in it. By H. Walker, pastor of the Church of Christ at Martins Vintry London.
1654	The discipline of gathered churches, with the covenant taken by each member; and a confession of faith professed by the Church of Christ at Martins Vintry: together with spirituall hymnes by way of paraphrase upon the whole book of canticles by them sung at their breakin of bread. And an abreviate of their whole practise.
1659	A collection of several passages concerning his late highnesse Oliver, Cromwell, in the time of his sickness; wherein is related many of his expressions upon his death-bed. Together with his prayer within two or three dayes before his death. Written by one that was then groom of his bed-chamber. Entered according to order.
1659	A collection of several passages concerning his late highnesse Oliver, Cromwell, in the time of his sickness; wherein is related many of his expressions upon his death-bed. Together with his prayer within two or three dayes before his death. Written by one that was then groom of his bed-chamber. Entered according to order.
1659	An account of the last houres of the late renowned Oliver Lord Protector: wherein you have his frame of spirit, expressed in his dying words, upon his death-bed. Together with his last prayer a little before his death. VVho died at Westminster the third of September. 1658. Drawn up and published by one who was an eye and ear-witness of the most part of it.
1660	Serious observations lately made, touching his Majesty Charles the Second, King of England, Scotland,France & Ireland. King Charles Stuart, in Hebrew thus: [Hebrew] translated into English, is thus, the King hath prepared a refreshing, hee hath crushed it out of the rock b degrees. Published to inform the people, per H. Walker. S.S.T.S.

Newsbooks

1643	Informator rusticus: or, The countrey intelligencer. Impartially imparting such passages and occurrences as daily happen betweene the Protestant and papisticall armies now on foot in this kingdome.
1644	Occurrences of certain speciall and remarkable passages in Parliament, and the affaires of the kingdome, for fuller satisfaction.
1644	The Perfect occurrences of Parliament, and the proceedings of the armie, collected and published according to order for fuller satisfaction.
1644	Perfect occurrences of some passages in Parliament, and from other parts of this kingdom, from …
1644	Perfect passages of each dayes proceedings in Parliament: from …
1644	Perfect occurrences of Parliament, and chief collections of letters
1646	Perfect occurrences of Parliament.
1646	Perfect occurrences of both Houses of Parliament, and martiall affairs.
1647	A perfect summary of chiefe passages in Parliament. from the army, and other parts of the kingdoms.
1647	Mercurius morbicus. Or nevves from VVestminster, and other parts.
1647	Mercurius medicus: or, A soveraigne salve for these sick times the vizard which deformeth them plucked off; and they rendred no better nor worse then they are: the bug-beares that affright some beaten to nothing, and the angells that allure others proved incompatible with reality.
1647	Perfect occurrences of every dayes iournall in Parliament; and other moderate intelligence: from … Collected by Lu: Harruney, cleric.
1648	A perfect diary of passages of the Kings army; and their severall fights, treaties and actions; with the Parliaments forces under the command of the Lord Fairfax.
1648	Packets of letters from Scotland, Berwick, Newcastle and York, to members of the House of Commons concerning the transactions of the Parliament of Scotland, the Commissioners of the Parliament of England.
1649	A Tuesdaies journall of perfect passages in Parliament. Proceedings of the Councell of State: and other moderate intelligence. From His Excellency the Lord General Fairfaxes army, and other parts. From …
1649	Severall proceedings in Parliament
1650	Mercurius Anglicus, communicating moderate intelligence from several parts of England, Ireland & Scotland. With the best intelligence from the head-quarters, the navies at sea, and choise passages from other parts.
1650	The moderne intelligencer, communicating the chief affairs in England, Ireland & Scotland. With the last intelligence from the head quarters, the navies at sea, and choise passages from other parts.
1650	Perfect passages of every daies intelligence: from the Parliaments army, under the command of his Excellency the Lord General Cromwel. And other remarkable proceedings in England, Scotland, Ireland and other parts, &c.
1651	The modern intelligencer impartially communicating the daily proceedings of the Parliaments army under the command of his excellency the Lord Gen. Cormvvell; as also the further proceedings of the Scottish army under the conduct of Major General Massey, Pointz, Ashurst, with their further proceedings; and other remarkable passages, from Scotland Ireland, and the navies at sea.
1653	Severall proceedings of state affaires in England, Ireland and Scotland. VVith the transactions of the affaires in other nations.
1654	Certain passages of every dayes intelligence from the army, and his highness the Lord Protector, and his Council.
1655	Perfect proceedings of state-affaires. In England, Scotland and Ireland, with the transations of other nations. From …