Exhibit:

Religion in Jane Austen's Society

Preview of images

The interior of St. Swithin's Church of Walcot in Bath, a church that Jane Austen attended.
Documents of Jane Austen Imagining Herself Marrying A Multitude of Men (Image A). Jane and her sister Cassandra sign for the marriage of their cousin Jane Cooper. (Image B)
Image 1 Image 2
Personal Bible of Thomas Scott

Part of Group:

Austen: Annotated and Adapted Thiel College F'24

A gallery exhibit showcasing religion in Jane Austen's Society. A variety of images are displayed and shown, including religious clothing from the time in which Jane Austen was alive, an 1806 King James Bible, old Church documents playfully filled out by Austen and a marriage witness signature from her and her sister, stained glass windows, and church pews that discuss designated seating between rich and poor individuals. The Anglican customs and beliefs are displayed throughout each of these gallery exhibits, as well as the extensive history of the Church of England, how Anglicanism shaped Austen's life, and how her career was affected by religion.

Images in this Exhibit

The Reverence for Wealth in 19th Century English Churches
The interior of St. Swithin's Church of Walcot in Bath, a church that Jane Austen attended.

Image: "The Interior of St. Swithin's Church of Walcot in Bath" from Church Website.

Since human beings have begun using currency as a form of acquiring resources and goods, the acquisition of a larger amount of currency has been an extremely popular desire. This desire fuels wealth in society, where those who possess it have historically been viewed as superior to commonfolk. Wealth gaps and class distinction has been an important part of many different cultures, with many wealthy people unlocking privileges in society for simply possessing more of a way to attain...
Validity in Her Identity - Using Jane Austen's Documents to Understand the Administrative Workings of 19th Century Churches
Documents of Jane Austen Imagining Herself Marrying A Multitude of Men (Image A). Jane and her sister Cassandra sign for the marriage of their cousin Jane Cooper. (Image B)

Image 1: "Jane Austen's Imaginative Marriage Forms"

Image 2: "Marriage Witness Forms signed by Jane Austen and Cassandra Austen"

Physical documentation was, and to an extent still is, extremely vital to the administrative organization of a church. These documents did not serve as simply just organizational forms, however - at first, they may have existed for tax purposes, according to some scholars.

When Henry VIII appointed Thomas Cromwell as Vicar-General, Cromwell used his knowledge of the Low Countries in which parish registers, documents...
Dressing the Clergymen: What Jane Austen Would Have Expected
Image 1 Image 2

Image 1: "The Cassock of 18th & 19th Century Rectors"

Image 2: "The Bands of 18th & 19th Century Rectors" - James Woodforde

Each religion has specific attire that subscribers and officials wear during religious ceremonies and events. Historically, officials in any Christian church have worn longer garments, often resembling robes or coverings. Rectors in the 18th and 19th century England, like George Austen, Jane Austen's father, could expect to wear long cassocks and bands, according to England's Jane Austen Society.

Though there are not a...
Examining the Holy Scripture Used in 19th Century Anglican Churches
Personal Bible of Thomas Scott

Image: "1806 King James Bible at Cross and Crown Rare Books"

Almost all religions have physical manifestos of their Scriptures, with all denominations of Christianity following the Holy Bible. For Anglicans like Jane Austen, the version of the Holy Bible that would have been used was the King James Version. The King James Version of the Holy Bible contains 80 books, with 39 being in the Old Testament, 27 in the New Testament, and 14 apocryphal writings. 

Along with the changes of monarchs, and therefore religious belief, the Holy Scripture of England changed a...