The Cambridge History of Early Modern English Literature

This 2003 book is a full-scale history of early modern English literature, offering perspectives on English literature produced in Britain between the Reformation and the Restoration. While providing the general coverage and specific information expected of a major history, its twenty-six chapters address recent methodological and interpretive developments in English literary studies. The book has five sections: 'Modes and Means of Literary Production, Circulation, and Reception', 'The Tudor Era from the Reformation to Elizabeth I', 'The Era of Elizabeth and James VI', 'The Earlier Stuart Era', and 'The Civil War and Commonwealth Era'. While England is the principal focus, literary production in Scotland, Ireland and Wales is treated, as are other subjects less frequently examined in previous histories, including women's writings and the literature of the English Reformation and Revolution. This history is an essential resource for specialists and students.

Introduction David Loewenstein and Janel Mueller; Part I. Modes and Means of Literary Production, Circulation, and Reception: 1. Literacy, society, and education Kenneth Charlton and Margaret Spufford; 2. Manuscript transmission and circulation Harold Love and Arthur F. Marotti; 3. Print, literary culture, and the book trade David Scott Kastan; 4. Literary patronage Graham Parry; 5. Languages of early modern literature in Britain Paula Blank; 6. Habits of reading and the creation of early modern literary culture Steven N. Zwicker; Part II. The Tudor Era from the Reformation to Elizabeth I: 7. Literature and national identity David Loades; 8. Literature and the court William A. Sessions; 9. Literature and the church Janel Mueller; Part III. The Era of Elizabeth and James VI: 10. Eliza's England, whose Scotland, whose Ireland? Claire McEachern; 11. Literature and the court Catherine Bates; 12. Indoctrination, edification, and polemic: literature and the church Patrick Collinson; 13. Literature and the metropolis Lawrence Manley; 14. Literature and the theater David Bevington; Part IV. The Earlier Stuart Era: 15. An emergent Britain?: literature and national identity Johann P. Sommerville; 16. Literature and the court Leah S. Marcus; 17. Literature and the church Debora Shuger; 18. Civic continuities and revolutionary beginnings: literature and London Thomas N. Corns; 19. The emergence of a metropolitan drama: literature and the theater to 1660 Martin Butler; 20. Literature and the household Barbara K. Lewalski; Part V. The Civil War and Commonwealth Era: 21. Literature and national identity in England Derek Hirst; 22. Literature and religion David Loewenstein and John Morrill; 23. Civil war and the new literary scene: literature and London Nigel Smith; 24. Literature and the household Helen Wilcox; 25. Alternative sites for literature: rural, convivial, and intellectual domains Joshua Scodel; 26. From revolution to restoration in English literary culture James Grantham Turner; Chronological outline of historical events and texts in Britain, 1528–1674, with list of selected manuscripts; Select bibliography (primary and secondary sources); Index.

This 2003 book is a full-scale history of early modern English literature. Highly acclaimed at its first publication, this corrected edition provides broad coverage as well as detailed information on the texts, contexts and reception of Renaissance literature. An essential resource for specialists and students.

David Loewenstein is Marjorie and Lorin Tiefenthaler Professor of English at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Janel Mueller is William Rainey Harper Distinguished Service Professor Emerita at the University of Chicago.