Grace Thompson
John Joseph Scarisbrick, often shortened to J.J. Scarisbrick, is a British historian and author of several books, including Henry VIII, The Reformation and the English People, and The Jesuits and the Catholic Reformation. Scarisbrick is a Catholic himself and is known for his pro-life stance, co-founding the anti-abortion charity Life with his wife, Nuala Scarisbrick.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Full name | John Joseph Scarisbrick |
| Known as | Jack Scarisbrick, J.J. Scarisbrick |
| Profession | Historian, author |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Area of expertise | Tudor England, Tudor history |
| Notable works | Henry VIII, The Reformation and the English People, The Jesuits and the Catholic Reformation |
| Awards | MBE, Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature |
| Other notable contributions | Co-founder of Life, a British anti-abortion charity |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
J.J. Scarisbrick is a Catholic historian
J.J. Scarisbrick, or John Joseph Scarisbrick, is a British historian and author of several books, including "Henry VIII", "The Reformation and the English People", and "The Jesuits and the Catholic Reformation". He was born in 1928 in London and was educated at The John Fisher School and later Christ's College, Cambridge, after spending two years in the Royal Air Force. He specialised in Tudor history and taught at the University of Warwick.
Scarisbrick is a Catholic historian and a co-founder, along with his wife Nuala Scarisbrick, of Life, a British anti-abortion charity founded in 1970. His most notable work, "Henry VIII", published in 1968, focuses on the personality of the king and explores his impulsive interventionist nature. It also delves into his foreign campaigns, diplomacy, and England's split from the Catholic Church. Scarisbrick's work provides insight into the king's volatile nature and the power dynamics between Henry VIII and his chief ministers, Thomas Wolsey and Thomas Cromwell.
Scarisbrick's Catholic faith influenced his historical perspective and his stance on social issues. He was deemed a "reactionary" by some students due to his pro-life views, which were seen as "counter-revolutionary" to the Sexual Revolution. His work as a historian and his faith intersected in his articulation of England's relationship with the 16th-century Protestant revolt. Scarisbrick's interpretation of historical events, such as the causes of the delay in breaking from Rome, challenged prevailing assumptions and offered a unique perspective shaped by his Catholic beliefs.
Beyond his historical contributions, Scarisbrick's charity work and advocacy for vulnerable people are notable. He was appointed an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 2015 for his services to vulnerable people, particularly as the founder of Zoe's Place, a hospice for children in Coventry. Scarisbrick and his wife opened their home in Leamington Spa to expectant mothers, offering support and refuge. Their anti-abortion charity, Life, continues to thrive and campaigns for the removal of the Abortion Act from British statute books.
In summary, J.J. Scarisbrick is a Catholic historian whose faith intersected with his interpretation of history and his social advocacy. He made significant contributions to Tudor history, particularly with his work on Henry VIII, while also leaving a lasting impact through his charitable endeavours.
France's Religious Resistance: Keeping Catholicism
You may want to see also
Explore related products
He co-founded the anti-abortion charity, Life, with his wife
John Joseph (Jack) Scarisbrick is a British historian who taught at the University of Warwick. He is also known for co-founding the anti-abortion charity, Life, with his wife, Nuala Scarisbrick, in 1970.
The founding of Life was in response to the 1967 British Abortion Act. Scarisbrick, a Professor of History at Warwick University at the time, believed that the law permitting abortion had to be challenged and changed. He and his wife recognised that an unplanned pregnancy was a time when practical help was needed by the expectant mother. As a result, their home in Leamington Spa became a haven for pregnant women.
Nuala Scarisbrick helped set up a series of Life houses to provide accommodation for mothers with crisis pregnancies. She was National Administrator until she stepped down in 2017 due to Alzheimer's disease. She also actively supported the setting up of anti-abortion groups in Europe after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
Jack Scarisbrick's opposition to abortion has remained steadfast over the past 50 years, whether in the media or in conversations with influential people. He has never wavered in his campaign to end abortion. Scarisbrick is now in his 90s and, although no longer at the helm of Life, he still takes an active interest in the charity.
How Mary I's Catholic Restoration Shaped England's Future
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Scarisbrick's most notable work is 'Henry VIII'
John Joseph Scarisbrick, often shortened to J.J. Scarisbrick, is a historian of Tudor England. His most notable work, "Henry VIII", was first published in 1968 and remains a standard account of the king's life. The book is a thorough exploration of the documentary sources, stylishly written and highly readable.
Scarisbrick's "Henry VIII" focuses on the king's forceful personality and the impact he had on his age, which continues to be felt in the present day. The book covers the man and his time in depth, offering detailed explorations of foreign ventures, the famous divorce case, anticlericalism, and other issues that arose during his reign. Scarisbrick's style has been described as offering a temperate discussion of Henry VIII, acknowledging both the king's positive achievements and qualities, as well as his failings.
The book has been praised for its engaging writing style and perfect sources, reminding readers of how flimsy other books about Henry VIII are in comparison. It has been described as the "fullest and best scholarly biography" of the king, appealing to readers who appreciate the author's willingness to see Henry as a flawed human rather than a tyrant.
Scarisbrick's work provides a unique perspective on the complex issues during Henry VIII's reign, such as the canon law aspects of the King's plea to Rome for a divorce or annulment from Queen Catherine. While some readers may find this level of detail tedious or confusing, others appreciate the wealth of information and analysis presented in the book.
Overall, "Henry VIII" by J.J. Scarisbrick is a well-regarded and influential work that offers a comprehensive and nuanced biography of the king, contributing significantly to the understanding of Henry VIII's life and his impact on history.
Exploring Catholic Guilt: Is It Real or Imagined?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
He was a Professor of History at Warwick University
John Joseph Scarisbrick, often shortened to J.J. Scarisbrick, was a Professor of History at Warwick University. He was a British historian who specialised in Tudor history, with his most notable work being "Henry VIII", first published in 1968. Scarisbrick was educated at The John Fisher School and later Christ's College, Cambridge, after spending two years in the Royal Air Force.
Scarisbrick was a Catholic historian who wrote about the English Reformation and England's split from the Catholic Church during the reign of Henry VIII. He also wrote about the Jesuits and the Catholic Reformation. As a Catholic, Scarisbrick stood outside the British Establishment and was deemed a "reactionary" by some of his students due to his pro-life views.
In addition to his academic work, Scarisbrick was the co-founder, along with his wife Nuala Scarisbrick, of Life, a British anti-abortion charity founded in 1970. Scarisbrick's sense of history and awareness of changing ideas over time may have influenced his decision to establish this charity. The charity provided support to expectant mothers, and Scarisbrick became a regular visitor to the local maternity ward.
Scarisbrick was also a founder of Zoe's Place, a hospice for children in Coventry, for which he was appointed an MBE in 2015 for his services to vulnerable people. He was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 1969.
Jimmy Carter: A Catholic in the White House?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
He was appointed an MBE in 2015
John Joseph Scarisbrick, often shortened to J.J. Scarisbrick, is a British historian specialising in Tudor England. He is also the founder of the British anti-abortion charity, Life, co-founded with his wife, Nuala Scarisbrick, in 1970. Scarisbrick was appointed an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in the 2015 Queen's New Year Honours List. He received this honour for his services to vulnerable people as the founder of Zoe's Place, a hospice for children in Coventry.
Scarisbrick's work as a historian has focused on Tudor history, with his most critically acclaimed work being "Henry VIII", first published in 1968. He was educated at The John Fisher School and later Christ's College, Cambridge, after spending two years in the Royal Air Force. He taught at the University of Warwick and is known for his pro-life stance, which has been deemed “counter-revolutionary” to the Sexual Revolution.
Scarisbrick's home in Leamington Spa became a haven for expectant mothers, and he and his wife offered support to many pregnant women, leading him to become a regular visitor at the local maternity ward. This provoked curiosity from nursing staff, who wondered about the man with all these new mothers. Scarisbrick's work in this area extended beyond his home, as he founded the Baby Hospice and the LIFE Fertility Care Programme in Warwickshire, England.
In addition to his work as a historian and his charitable endeavours, Scarisbrick has also been recognised through his appointment as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in 1969. His contributions to supporting vulnerable people and expectant mothers have left a lasting impact, and his honour as an MBE in 2015 serves as a testament to his dedication and service in these areas.
Catholic Liturgy: Examples and Their Significance
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
John Joseph Scarisbrick, often shortened to J.J. Scarisbrick, is a British historian of Tudor England. He is also the author of "Henry VIII", "The Reformation and the English People", and "The Jesuits and the Catholic Reformation".
Yes, J.J. Scarisbrick is Catholic. He is a pro-life pioneer and a Catholic historian.
J.J. Scarisbrick's most critically acclaimed work is "Henry VIII", first published in 1968.
J.J. Scarisbrick was educated at The John Fisher School and later attended Christ's College, Cambridge, after spending two years in the Royal Air Force.
J.J. Scarisbrick is the founder of "Life", a British anti-abortion charity founded in 1970. He is also the founder of Zoe's Place, a hospice for children in Coventry.
