BRITISH FRIENDLY SOCIETIES, 1750-1914

"This innovative interpretation of British Friendly Societies places organised mutual insurance societies as central actors in the formation of labouring politics and culture. Drawing on social and gender history written since the publication of Gosden's classic text in 1961, this book shows how Friendly Societies used direct political pressure to promote the ideology of voluntarism and shape self-help legislation in Britain. Friendly Societies also contributed to and reinforced changing gender norms through their use of rituals and ceremonies. This book examines these themes against the development of Friendly Societies in Britain to the eve of the First World War."--Jacket.