PREFACE. MY OBJECT in this little book has been to adhere as closely as possible to the intention of the series, and to embrace as much as I could of the contemporary history of Europe. For this purpose severe compression was required, and though I have endeavoured to preserve the perspective of events I cannot hope that I have always succeeded. I have grouped European history round the history of England, because I considered that in that way it would be made most interesting to the English reader. I have regarded the political history as of the chiefest importance, and only in the case of England have I found space for social or literary history. My guide throughout the whole of this period has been Ranke, who has made the history of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries peculiarly his own. His Englische Geschichte' contains a clear and 1 Translated, Clarendon Press, 6 vols., 1875. 3 vigorous sketch of the reign of Elizabeth in its connexion with external politics. His 'Deutsche Geschichte im Zeitalter der Reformation'1 is a masterly account of the Reformation in Germany and of its political effects upon that country. His 'Römische Päpste' 2 contains an account of the influence of the Reformation movement on Catholicism, the progress of the Catholic Reformation and its reaction upon Protestantism. His Geschichte Frankreichs unfolds the influence of the Reformation on the fortunes of the French monarchy. Finally a little book, originally published as the first volume of a series of which the 'Römische Päpste' formed the second part, under the name of 'Fürsten und Völker der Süd-Europa' contains an admirable account of the formation of the Spanish monarchy under Charles V. and Fhilip II. 4 These works of Ranke will remain as the chief sources of our knowledge of the history of these times. They are founded upon a careful study of contemporary documents, especially upon the despatches of the Venetian ambassadors. There are no works of 1 Partly translated by Mrs. Austin; but the translation is now unfortunately out of print and can rarely be met with. 2 Translated by Mrs. Austin. 3 vols. Fourth edition. Murray, 1866. 3 A very small part of this has been translated by M. A. Garvey (Bentley, 1852); but this also is out of print and is only a fragment. 4 Translated by Walter Kelly under the title 'The Ottoman and Spanish Empires' (Whittakers, 1843); also out of print. equal value to which the student of this period can be referred for knowledge of the history as a whole. For English affairs, Hayward's 'Life of Edward VI.,' Goodwin's Life of Queen Mary,' and Camden's History of Elizabeth' are standard authorities. Mr. Froude's History of England' is admirable for the reigns of Edward VI. and Mary, and his researches have thrown much light upon the politics and character of Elizabeth. Mr. Motley's 'Rise of the Dutch Republic' and 'History of the United Netherlands' give a detailed account of the revolt of the Netherlands, and bring to notice many characteristics of Elizabeth's government. For the internal history of England, Hallam's "Constitutional History' is indispensable. For ecclesiastical history, Strype's 'Annals of the Reformation' and 'Life of Parker' are important. For the social history, Nichols's Progresses of Elizabeth,' Stow's 'Survey of London,' and Harrison's "Description of England' at the beginning of Holinshed's Chronicle are of the greatest importance. Nathan Drake's 'Shakespeare and his Times' is a mine of interesting quotations from contemporary authors. Of Elizabeth's court life and personal character, Sir John Harrington's 'Nuga Antiquæ' and Naunton's Fragmenta Regalia' give interesting accounts Miss Aikin's 'Memoirs of the Court of Queen Elizabeth' collects a great deal of characteristic gossip. For the history of trade, Macpherson's 'Annals of Commerce' can be referred to. Mr. Fox Bourne's 'English Seamen under the Tudors' gives a clear account of English discoveries during this period. In literary history I have not aimed at doing more than connecting the literary development of England with the great stimulus to national activity which the events of Elizabeth's reign supplied. The young student would gain more by reading one or two of the works referred to than by reading literary histories or criticisms on books which he has not read. 6 The ground which I have traversed in the social history of this period has been covered since I began to write by Mr. Green's History of the English People,' which has devoted considerable space to the social and literary history of Elizabeth's reign. To that work, in the first instance, I refer all who need. more detailed information on these points. |