The 1800s was an important period in the history of the Church of England. At Oxford University, there was a revival of the catholic tradition within the church leading to the formation of the Oxford Movement. At Westminster, restrictions upon non-members of the Church of England were being repealed. All of these events have been recorded in numerous texts. Oxford’s Protestant Spy looks at these events through the eyes of an evangelical clergyman, and presents a different view of the events of that period.

The title is interesting, if not misleading. Golightly was a strong agitator against, and an opponent of, the movement that sought to restore the catholic doctrine and ritual of the Church. But a ‘spy’? This book is a detailed account of ‘The Controversial Career of Charles Golightly’. Published as part of the Studies in Evangelical History and Thought, it is an invaluable part of the history of the Church of England. It is of equal value in the history of Oxford University. In particular, chapter six, ‘Protecting the University Pulpit’, gives an insight into the significance of preaching.

As is recounted, Golightly was born in 1807; he was educated at Eton and Oriel College, Oxford, and from the age of 16 spent all his life, other than for five years, at Oxford University. After graduation, and a few years as a parish priest, Golightly returned to Oxford to private premises from where he conducted his assault upon the Oxford Movement. He is described in the first page of the text as a ‘most notorious ecclesiastical agitator’. This description is sufficient to encourage further reading.

Visitors to Oxford who have observed the Martyrs’ Memorial will appreciate the lengthy discussion as to the appropriateness of the memorial. Golightly was at the heart of plans to build a Martyrs’ Memorial in Oxford. In this he was encouraged by the Bishop of Winchester. Such was the theological debate that the erection of the Memorial took five years from conception to construction.

The chapter ‘Keeping Oxford Protestant’ is a well-written description of the anti-Tractarian argument. It records how Golightly was able to engage the press, but not the Church hierarchy, in his opposition to the Movement. The standard texts describe how those who were opposed to the teachings of the Oxford Movement and the contents of the Tractarian papers left the Church of England for other denominations. Golightly did not follow this course and, as is recorded, consequently he lost many of his earlier friendships.

This book is very well researched, as the copious footnotes attest, and it is a valuable text for the serious student of this period. For the reader who has a general interest in the events, it is perhaps too detailed. The index of names at the conclusion of the text is sparse. For the serious student, a more detailed index would be preferable.

The best is kept until last, in the Epilogue. ‘How should Golightly be categorised? Was he an “evangelical” or would he preferred to be called an “Anglican”?’ To this reviewer the latter is the answer, but the text is so written that the readers are able to draw their own opinion.