Christina Rossetti - Tractarianism

What did Rossetti write in one of her books, The Face of the Deep?

That England is ‘full of luxuries and thronged by stinted poor’ as she recognised Britain’s preoccupation with wealth and power and felt that this focus was a dangerous ‘vanity’. She warns her readers not to depend on worldly comforts such as financial security but to instead trust in God.

What are ‘vanities’?

They refers to the temptations of the modern world, like greed, materialism and desire for power.

When did Christian begin attending Christ Church (on Albany Street in London)?

1843 - this was a high Anglican church and was considered the leading church of the Tractarian movement.

When did a series of tracts (leaflets arguing a point of view) circulate in Oxford?

1833.

What were the tracts titled?

Tracts for the Times.

Who were the tracts circulated by?

John Keble, an Anglican clergyman who wanted the Church of England to become more like the Roman Catholic Church (though not to except the authority of the Pope).

What was this circulation of tracts often referred to as?

The Oxford Movement.

What did High Church Anglicans or Tractarians value?

Ritual in worship; saints’ days; ornate robes; candles, incense and other aesthetic considerations, and trying to address the social problems corrupting Victorian society.