A Christian Voice in a Secular Society: The Role of the Archbishop of Canterbury in British Public Life

Abstract

Historians have argued that religion has lost much of its social impact as a result of increasing secularization during the 20th century. This dissertation examines the previous Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams and it analyses his role in British public life in order to throw new light on the wider relationship between the Church of England and British society. By looking at the attention that Williams received in the media during his time as Archbishop the dissertation shows how active a public figure he was in British public life. In doing so the dissertation opens up new channels for future historical research on the impact of religion in British public life in the 21st century