The Moral Economy of Thanking: The Culture of Gratitude in Early Modern England

The history of emotions has been dominated by Norbert Elias’ model of linear repression.   Through increasing self-discipline and internal constraints, individuals from 1500 onwards tamed their natural urges and curtailed the exhibitions of emotions.   This model, concentrating on violence and the body, erroneously equates repression with civility.  It applies, if at all, only to what societies deem the more undesirable or disruptive emotions and ignores the many emotions whose display was encouraged in early modern society. Thus, it prevents us from understanding the emotional economy of any given society.

            This paper, based on private papers, printed works, trial transcripts and poor relief records, will map out new ways to navigate the history of emotions through a case study of gratitude.  The paper will concentrate on the situated use of emotion, that is the expression and understanding of emotion in daily life and social context.  Such an approach embeds sentiment in its social and cultural world, and thus reveals how emotions work together in any given era.

            Gratitude was an essential emotion to the workings of early modern English society which sought to encourage not less but more expression of it.  Ingratitude was widely regarded as an “an odious vice”.   Gratitude was both an emotion and a value, and the duty to express it transcended rank.  From the condemned but pardoned felons, to the grateful recipients of poor relief, to the highest ranks of the aristocracy thanking patrons for their largesse, all individuals were meant to feel and certainly were obligated to display appropriate gratitude.  Gratitude meant more than the sentiment of thankfulness towards a benefactor in early modern England.  It was defined as the desire of returning good for good..  Gratitude played its role in nourishing endless reciprocity, as well as structuring the relationship between individuals.