Religion and Empire

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The book explores the foundational beliefs of the Elizabethan and Jacobean eras regarding the British Empire, particularly the conviction that expanding the kingdom of God would yield material rewards. It highlights the influential roles of ships' chaplains, company preachers, and notable clergymen like Hakluyt and Purchas in promoting the concept of empire as a divine mission. Through this lens, the author delves into the ideational origins that shaped imperial ambitions and the mindset of the time.