Online series shines new light on Britain’s corridors of power in the eighteenth century

Aug. 1, 2013 - PRLog -- Gale, part of Cengage Learning, once again partners with The National Archives UK to extend its acclaimed State Papers Online programme into the eighteenth century with the publication of Eighteenth Century, 1714-1782: Part I: State Papers Domestic, Military, Naval and Registers of the Privy Council held by The National Archives.

The first of this new three part series contains over 12,000 volumes of confidential British government records from the eighteenth century. Shedding new light on the reigns of King George I, II and III and their respective governments, the State Papers Online: Eighteenth Century, 1714-1782 series will be vital to any understanding of the political, social and economic history of Britain and the world during this turbulent period.

This remarkable archiveoffers academics and those interested in history unrestricted access to confidential papers from the reigns of the Hanover rulers providing fascinating insights into the backroom politics of Britain during the eighteenth century.

Julia de Mowbray, Publisher of History and Politics at Cengage Learning EMEA, comments: “It is an enormous pleasure to have reached the eighteenth century in this series and these fundamental documents for the study of British history.  The handwriting is easy to read so students will be able to study page after page, without need of palaeographic skills, and re-write the history of the eighteenth century with all its complexities, subtleties, failures and successes.”

Crime, treasonous plots & rebellion

Jacobite plots, crime, unrest and treason feature prominently in the collection, revealing the underlying insecurity of the Hanover monarchs’ grip on the British throne. Researchers can uncover a wealth of historical documents on the Atterbury Plot which attempted to overthrow George I, including a testimony recounting the attempted escape of Atterbury’s co-conspirators Lords North and Grey to France in September 1722. The ‘Second Jacobite Rebellion’ is also richly documented, from the landing of ‘Bonnie Prince Charlie’ in Scotland to the rebels’ defeat at Culloden the following year.

Aside from the secret reports and correspondence exposing the internal threats to Hanoverian rule, researchers can trace the founding of Britain’s burgeoning empire abroad as it extended from North America to the Indian subcontinent. Researchers can also mine a trove of material on George III’s government’s mismanagement of the American colonies and the American war of independence.

Using technology to bring history to life

Built on the same platform as the original State Papers Online series, and cross-searchable with it, State Papers Online: Eighteenth Century, 1714-1782 harnesses all the same sophisticated search technology to streamline the research process. Scholars can search and retrieve manuscripts in multiple ways: they can limit manuscripts by reign or date, browse through manuscripts volume by volume, view two manuscripts side by side to compare them, or even make personal notes using a virtual note pad. The platform has been designed to address a range of different needs, catering equally for the experienced researcher and for the student less familiar with the materials and the period.

Caroline Kimble, Head of Licensing, at The National Archives, said:  “The National Archives is delighted to partner with Gale, part of Cengage Learning, in their ongoing digitisation project State Papers Online. The project has improved access and the usability of some of our most challenging and illuminating record collections. The latest collection to be made available online reveals the origins of modern-day British parliamentary democracy and allows more people to explore the inner workings of the State during the Age of Enlightenment.”

The online archive is now available for trial and purchase to institutions ranging from public libraries and academic institutions to museums and galleries.

For a free trial or further information about State Papers Online Eighteenth Century, please contact emea.galereply@cengage.com or visit www.gale.cengage.co.uk/statepapers.