National Identity in the British Volunteer Sermons, 1794–1802*

From 1794, when the British volunteer movement began in earnest, to 1802, French Revolutionary Wars came an end, established clergy preached numerous sermons military units throughout England and parts of Scotland. These sought articulate a sense Britishness such way as command more or less universal assent, meaning assent both ongoing war effort national enterprise broadly considered. Volunteers across country were taught see Great Britain nation chosen by God stand alone against onslaught principles, they encouraged derive purpose from their local contributions struggle. The bridged gap between attachments commitments, so doing played significant role formation consciousness.