The Anglo-French Entente in the Seventeenth Century

In Short

This study examines the seventeenth-century intellectual and cultural connection between England and France, detailing the movement of travelers, refugees, and writers across the Channel. By investigating the lives of French Protestant exiles, the role of language teachers, and the shifting political sentiments of the era, the work illuminates how France once provided the primary literary models for England before England’s own political and philosophical maturation began to reshape the Continent. It remains a foundational text for understanding the origins of the modern Anglo-French intellectual alliance.

The Story

The narrative begins with a recognition of the inherent duality in national identity; as a bird cannot fly on one wing, a mind rarely reaches excellence without mastering a second language. The early seventeenth century sees a France that gives more than it receives, acting as a beacon of civilization while English society remains largely insular. Travelers endure arduous, often unpredictable journeys to bridge this gap, recording the costs of passage—from the price of boatmen on the Seine to the bureaucratic indignities of English customs—with the meticulous eye of the contemporary diarist.

As the century progresses, the focus shifts to the literary and intellectual figures who traverse these borders. French men of letters, including playwrights and philosophers, find their way to London, though not all are eager to assimilate; some, like Saint-Evremond, maintain an English pension for years without ever bothering to learn more than a handful of English culinary terms. Yet, the curiosity of scholars persists. English thinkers like Hobbes, Locke, and Newton begin to stir deep interest on the Continent, creating a demand for translations and dictionaries among French intellectuals who recognize that their own progress is tied to engaging with these new, "profound" English ideas.

The arc of the narrative turns sharply with the political upheaval of the late seventeenth century. The Revocation of the Edict of Nantes sends a massive wave of Huguenot refugees to England. These are not merely laborers; they are journalists, pamphleteers, and polemicists who transform the intellectual landscape of their host country. Initially, these refugees are torn between a tradition of passive obedience to monarchs and a newfound, radical republicanism born of their exile. Through their coffee-house meetings and published debates, they reconcile these tensions, eventually influencing both English and French political thought.

The story concludes by documenting the rise of the "modern" man of letters. Figures like Voltaire emerge on the scene, engaging in sharp, often bitter exchanges with older refugee intellectuals. The final movement of the work captures the transition from the seventeenth-century preoccupation with theological disputes and the divine right of kings to the eighteenth-century Enlightenment, where political liberty and the freedom of conscience take center stage. By the time the focus shifts toward the eighteenth century, the debt has been reversed: England has taught France the value of toleration and parliamentary governance, completing a cycle of influence that permanently alters the course of Western history.

How It Unfolds

The cultural foundation The work establishes that, prior to the death of Louis XIV, France acted as the primary mentor to English culture, rooted in a long history of continental integration.

The travel experience Detailed accounts of seventeenth-century transit reveal the practical realities of the era, from the fluctuating costs of passage to the common suspicion faced by travelers entering foreign ports.

The intellectual exchange A survey of French visitors in London illustrates a spectrum of engagement, ranging from those who remained insulated in their native traditions to those who actively sought out the works of English philosophers.

The Huguenot influence The narrative tracks the influx of French Protestant refugees, highlighting how their political evolution from submissive subjects to assertive critics of tyranny fundamentally changed the nature of public discourse.

The politics of conscience Detailed analysis of the debates between figures like Bayle and Jurieu shows how the necessity of exile forced a radical reimagining of civil and religious toleration.

The shift toward modernism The final chapters describe the emergence of a new class of professional writers, culminating in the sharp, witty, and often argumentative encounters that signaled the arrival of the Enlightenment.

The People

The book is populated by a vibrant mix of individuals whose lives define the era’s transitions. Peter Du Moulin, a staunch Royalist and preacher, embodies the early conflict of loyalty, navigating the dangerous politics of the English Civil War while maintaining his French roots. In contrast, his brother Lewis Du Moulin represents the radical shift, embracing the Commonwealth and academic life at Oxford. John Milton appears as a distant but potent figure of controversy, his works serving as a lightning rod for debate among exiled French ministers.

The intellectual atmosphere is shaped by philosophers like John Locke, whose presence is felt through his circle of friends, such as the translator Pierre Coste, who finds himself embroiled in the petty, often personal disputes that characterize the literary life of the refugees. Voltaire enters toward the end as a transformative, disruptive force, his wit and combativeness marking the arrival of a new, post-theological age. Lesser-known figures, such as the printer William Du Gard, provide the practical mechanics of this intellectual exchange, showing how the dissemination of ideas—and the risks of printing them—kept the dialogue between the two nations alive.

In Its Own Voice

The author highlights the necessity of cross-cultural engagement as a fundamental tool for intellectual growth:

"Even as a hawke flieth not hie with one wing, even so a man reacheth not to excellency with one tongue."

The author captures the frustration of those who, like the philosopher Pierre Bayle, found their intellectual progress hindered by the lack of linguistic access:

"My misfortune is great to understand English, for there are many books in that tongue that would be useful to me."

The author reflects on the intense, often bitter, and very human nature of the debates between the exile community and their contemporaries:

"The poet's caution rose as the blows showered down upon him."

What It's Really About

At its core, this work investigates the mechanics of intellectual influence. It argues that national character is not a static monolith but a fluid construction, shaped by displacement, translation, and the persistent desire for toleration. The book posits that the "Entente" was not merely a political pact but a slow, often chaotic process of cross-pollination where ideas regarding conscience, government, and the rights of the individual were tested in the crucible of exile. It raises profound questions about how societies absorb "alien" thought, suggesting that the most significant cultural shifts often occur not in the halls of power, but in the coffee-houses and taverns where refugees and thinkers meet to debate the nature of truth and the limits of state authority.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy the granular history of ideas will find this book deeply rewarding. It offers a rare, ground-level view of the seventeenth century, moving away from high-level statecraft to explore the lives of the printers, tutors, and pamphleteers who actually performed the work of cultural integration. It feels like a meticulous, scholarly excavation; the prose is formal and precise, reflecting the standards of a more leisurely age of historical writing.

However, modern readers should be prepared for the book's density. It assumes a high degree of familiarity with historical figures—from seventeenth-century French divines to obscure English politicians—and does not pause to provide extensive biographies. The inclusion of long, unedited footnotes and archival references can be challenging, as can the occasional reliance on untranslated Latin or French snippets within the primary argument. Despite these hurdles, the book leaves the reader with a lasting appreciation for how fragile and hard-won the concept of modern intellectual freedom truly is. It is a work for those who believe that history is best understood through the messy, interconnected lives of those who dared to cross borders to seek a different way of thinking.