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Inside the Blue Book
Noblesse
Oblige
Summer
2003
by Jennifer L. Holley
HIST 420b
The Monarchy
and Modern British Society
Faculty:
Frank Prochaska, Lecturer in History
"In Britain,
no one teaches a course on the British monarchy,"
says Frank Prochaska. In England, the topic is not considered relevant
to academia, and the syllabi are generally less flexible. At Yale,
he notes, the faculty can be more innovative and (within reason)
teach what they want. Prochaska, who has offered "The Monarchy and
Modern British Society" twice at Yale, conceived the idea for the
course after writing books on philanthropy and republicanism in
Britain. He came to realize the significance of charitable giving
as a defining institution of the contemporary royal family.
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"A
republic isn't necessarily anti-monarchical."
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The monarchy has proven
its high degree of adaptability by adjusting to democratic reform
and social change. Prochaska wants his students to think about the
ways in which Britain is, as Tennyson called it in "Idylls of the
King," a "crowned republic." Prochaska says, "Historically, a republic
has more to do with the expansion of democratic rights and public
spirit than with the monarchy. A republic isn't necessarily anti-monarchical."
Although the monarchy
has lost political power, it retains a ceremonial function and its
role as head of state. But mainly, the vacuum created by the loss
of power was filled with civic and charitable interests. Prochaska's
class traces the growth of this phenomenon. To wit: George III had
nine royal patronages; Queen Elizabeth now has around 850.
He sees a direct relation
between philanthropy and the feminization of the monarchy. Since
Victoria, women have reigned for many more years than men. The women
in the extended royal family, who had limited scope for self expression,
found possibilities for making a difference through charitable work.
Overall, Prochaska
wants students to be able to put a crucial institution in historical
context. He says, "I want them to see a 'republic' as a protean
thing."  |
