The ERC-TIDE project (Travel, Transculturality, and Identity in England, c.1550-1700) is delighted to host a special event to mark the recent publication of two monographs by TIDE postdocs, Dr Haig Smith and Dr João Vicente Melo. Haig and João will be joined by Dr Edmond Smith and Dr Lauren Working for a discussion and Q&A.

Religion and Governance in England’s Emerging Colonial Empire, 1601–1698 is Haig’s first monograph, and it provides an important new look at the structure of the British government’s imperial expansion in the seventeenth century. Focusing on English overseas companies and their relationship to an English ‘governmental identity’, Haig argues that these companies provide an important link between colonial governments and ‘religious governance’ as England developed an empire. Unsurprisingly, the monograph has already received rave reviews. William Pettigrew (Lancaster) has emphasised its “conceptual precision” and “expansive, global field of view”, and Thomas Leng (Sheffield) says “It will be a valuable read for anyone wishing to learn about how England established a presence in the wider world.” This significant study is available to read open access here.

Jesuit and English Experiences at the Mughal Court, c.1580-1615 is João’s most recent monograph, and reconstructs and examines a crucial episode of Anglo-Iberian diplomatic rivalry: the clash between the Portuguese-sponsored Jesuit missionaries and the English East India Company (EIC) at the Mughal court between 1580 and 1615. This 35-year period includes the launch of the first Jesuit mission to Akbar’s court in 1580 and the preparation of the royal embassy led by Sir Thomas Roe to negotiate the concession of trading privileges to the EIC, and encompasses not only the extension of the conflict between the Iberian crowns and England into Asia, but also the consolidation of the Mughal Empire. The book examines the proselytizing and diplomatic activities of the Jesuit missionaries, the evolution of English diplomatic strategies concerning the Mughal Empire, and how the Mughal authorities instigated and exploited Anglo-Iberian rivalry in the pursuit of specific commercial, geopolitical, and ideological agendas. This insightful study will be available to read open access here in due course.

Online attendees will be sent a Crowdcast link the day before in order to stream proceedings.