The Last of the Prince Bishops - of William Van Mildert Biography

In this review of The Last of the Prince Bishops, Dr. E. A. Varley offers a focused scholarly portrait that will appeal to readers interested in Anglican history and 19th century church politics. The book's single biggest virtue is its reliance on original correspondence, which gives a clear window into William Van Mildert and the High Church Hackney Phalanx; this makes it especially useful for historians seeking primary-source informed interpretation rather than broad theological polemic. The review finds the book strongest as a researchable narrative rather than a popular biography.

Key Features

• Primary correspondence: Extensive use of original letters supplies direct evidence and lends the narrative authoritative detail about personalities and motives.
• Focused subject: Concentrating on William Van Mildert and the Hackney Phalanx clarifies the group's influence on the early nineteenth century Church of England.
• Historical context: The book situates the Phalanx within the post-1833 reappraisal of Church-state relations, helping readers understand institutional change.
• Scholarly tone: Dr. Varley writes with an academic, documentary approach that benefits researchers and graduate students seeking citationable material.
• Concise portrait: Rather than a sweeping history, the book offers a compact, focused treatment that is easier to consult for specific questions about the period.

Who It's For

The Last of the Prince Bishops is best for readers with a working familiarity with Anglican history or those undertaking research into nineteenth century church politics. Clergy, church historians, and graduate students will appreciate the documentary basis and the clear framing of the Hackney Phalanx's aims and self-perception.

Readers seeking a broad social history, a lively popular biography, or an introduction to church history without prior background may find the tone narrowly academic and should look for more generalist works that offer broader narrative and social context.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Rich use of original correspondence gives readers direct access to primary sources and contemporary viewpoints.
• The focused study of Van Mildert and the Hackney Phalanx illuminates an underexplored strand of Anglican history.
• Clear attention to the post-1833 debate on Church-state relations helps situate the Phalanx in institutional change.

Cons

• The scholarly, documentary tone may be dry for casual readers or those wanting a narrative-driven life story.

Specifications

Title	The Last of the Prince Bishops
Subject	William Van Mildert and the High Church movement
Author	E. A. Varley
Focus	Hackney Phalanx and post-1833 Church-state relations
Source material	Original correspondence and documentary evidence
Intended audience	Church historians, scholars, and graduate students

Our Verdict

The Last of the Prince Bishops is a worthwhile, well-documented study for readers who want a primary-source informed account of William Van Mildert and the Hackney Phalanx. Its scholarly focus and documentary grounding make it good value for researchers and students of Anglican history, though general readers may prefer a more narrative biography.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book use primary sources?
Yes. Dr. Varley draws extensively on original correspondence to reconstruct the views and activities of Van Mildert and his associates.

Is this suitable for general readers?
The tone is scholarly and focused, so casual readers without prior background in church history may find it dense.

What historical period does it cover?
The book concentrates on the early nineteenth century and the immediate post-1833 reassessment of Church-state relations.