Praise for the series:

‘Perhaps the most important historical undertaking of our age... one of the most valuable historical works ever produced.’

Times Literary Supplement

‘A landmark in the field of historical endeavour... the most admirable collection of sources on English history that exists.’

American Historical Review

English Historical Documents is the most ambitious, impressive and comprehensive collection of primary documents on English history ever published. The volumes have each become landmark publications in their own fields.

This long awaited volume covers 1558-1603, the reign of Elizabeth I, when government, culture, religion and foreign policy all underwent profound change. This volume includes informative introductory pieces for the parts and sections and editorial comment is directed towards making sources intelligible rather than drawing conclusions from them. Opening with an introductory section which contextualises the accession of Elizabeth to the throne, the volume covers all key aspects of the Elizabethan period, including:

Institutions

Social and economic structures

The marriage question and the problem of the succession

Family and household

Cultural life

The Church and religious affairs

Elizabethan wars

Overseas trade and exploration

Crime and disorder

The format of the series has been updated and the documents gathered here encompass the most up to date approaches to the material.