Historical Dictionary of the Elizabethan World: Britain, Ireland, Europe, and America [Paperback]

John A. Wagner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 2002

The individuals and events of the Elizabethan era continue to be popular topics for contemporary literature and film, and Elizabethan drama, poetry, and music are studied and enjoyed everywhere by students, scholars, and the general public. The Historical Dictionary of the Elizabethan World provides its users with clear definitions and descriptions of people, events, institutions, ideas, and terminology relating in some significant way to the Elizabethan period. The first dictionary of history to focus exclusively on the reign of Elizabeth I, this volume is also the first to take abroad trans-Atlantic approach to the period by including relevant individuals and terms from Irish, Scottish, Welsh, American, and Western European history.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up-The popularity of the movies Shakespeare in Love and Elizabeth might spark some interest in this book, but its merits allow it to stand on its own. In addition to clear essays, the genealogical charts, maps, and extensive appendixes make this well-organized title an invaluable resource. Topics can be searched alphabetically or under the broad headings listed in the "Guide to Selected Topics" (e.g., "America" or "Trade and Industry"). The entries provide a substantial amount of information but are not exhaustive. Many include see-also references and all suggest one or more titles for further reading. Genealogies of the European monarchs in the 16th century, lists of historical fiction titles, movies with Elizabethan characters and settings, sound recordings of period music, and Web sites are appended. (Both the lists of movies and Web sites are annotated.) A subject bibliography and a thorough index complete the volume. Black-and-white reproductions of portraits and other paintings from the period illustrate the work. A wealth of easy-to-use information.
Carol Fazioli, The Brearley School, New York City
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

. . . a valuable acquisition for all libraries with collections in early modern history. -- CHOICE, February 2000

A specialized encyclopedia that should find a place in many general collections... -- Booklist Editors Choice 1999

A wealth of easy-to-use information. -- School Library Journal, February 2000

This volume is a useful resource for those who need concise descriptions and definitions of people, events, ideas, and terms, of the Elizabethan period . . . -- Book Report, January/February 2000 --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 392 pages
• Publisher: Checkmark Books (May 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0816046573
• ISBN-13: 978-0816046577
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 6.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,228,651 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #98 in Books > Education & Reference > Dictionaries & Thesauruses > Foreign Language > Irish

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A useful reference work on the Elizabethan Age, September 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Historical Dictionary of the Elizabethan World: Britain, Ireland, Europe, and America (Hardcover)

Hundreds of brief, clearly written essays provide fascinating inside information on the Age of Elizabeth. The dictionary includes extensive information on the leading political, literary and religious figures and families of Great Britain. The author wisely recognizes that Britain did not exist in a vacuum, and so he has been careful to include European leaders and their complex interrelationships with Britain. Readers who have mistakenly assumed that the ill-fated invasion by the Spanish Armada was a single spectacular disaster, will learn that it actually involved a long series of ocean battles between the British fleet and the Spanish forces led by the reluctant Duke of Medina. Elizabeth I, William Shakespeare, Sir Walter Raleigh, Sir Francis Bacon, and Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester are presented in the context of their families and the social matrix of the period. Less well known figures discussed include the unfortunate Amy Dudley, and Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox. Many illustrations enliven the text. Battles, plots and rebellions, religious controversies, finance, treaties, art, architecture, literature and drama all are covered in this surprisingly comprehensive work. Readers who are not quite sure what function the Star Chamber served will find enlightenment here. Useful tables such as the dating of Shakespeare's works and charts for the genealogies of the Houses of Lancaster, York, and Stuart, as well as the Habsburgs and the Bourbons are extremely welcome. Appendices list historical fiction of the period, motion pictures, and sound recordings of Elizabethan music, providing a multidimensional approach to those seeking a balanced picture of the age. Appendix 7 provides a list of web sites devoted to Elizabethan and Tudor culture. These include sites that provide primary source materials, images of ships, persons, and fashions. Readers will be made aware of major internet resources: The English Heritage Web Site, the Folger Shakespeare Library Web Site, and even a site devoted to the Wars of the Roses. An extensive bibliography lists recent works on the Elizabethans and all aspects of their lives and culture. The book is indexed and articles are cross-referenced. A series of maps and a chronology will be most welcome to students of the period. John A. Wagner and the editors at Oryx have prepared a fine one-volume reference work that is sure to be a welcome addition to schools, and to public and academic libraries.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An impressive, comprehensive work of sound scholarship., June 4, 2000

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Historical Dictionary of the Elizabethan World: Britain, Ireland, Europe, and America (Hardcover)

John Wagner's Historical Dictionary Of The Elizabethan World: Britain, Ireland, Europe, And America is an impressive work of comprehensive scholarship and an essential, core title for any personal, academic, or public library Elizabethan studies reference collection. This exceptional, highly recommended encyclopedic dictionary is enhanced for students and scholars with a bibliography, index, and appendices devoted to genealogies; Elizabethan Archbishops of Canterbury and York, and the Roman Catholic Popes; European Monarchs in the Sixteenth Century; Selected Historical Fiction with Tudor and Elizabethan Characters and Settings; Selected motion Pictures with Tudor and Elizabethan Characters and Settings; Selected Sound Recordings of Tudor and Elizabethan Music; and Selected Web Sites for Tudor and Elizabethan Topics.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A useful reference work on the Elizabethan Age, September 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Historical Dictionary of the Elizabethan World: Britain, Ireland, Europe, and America (Hardcover)

Hundreds of brief, clearly written essays provide fascinating inside information on the Age of Elizabeth. The dictionary includes extensive information on the leading political, literary and religious figures and families of Great Britain. The author wisely recognizes that Britain did not exist in a vacuum, and so he has been careful to include European leaders and their complex interrelationships with Britain. Readers who have mistakenly assumed that the ill-fated invasion by the Spanish Armada was a single spectacular disaster, will learn that it actually involved a long series of ocean battles between the British fleet and the Spanish forces led by the reluctant Duke of Medina. Elizabeth I, William Shakespeare, Sir Walter Raleigh, Sir Francis Bacon, and Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester are presented in the context of their families and the social matrix of the period. Less well known figures discussed include the unfortunate Amy Dudley, and Margaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox. Many illustrations enliven the text. Battles, plots and rebellions, religious controversies, finance, treaties, art, architecture, literature and drama all are covered in this surprisingly comprehensive work. Readers who are not quite sure what function the Star Chamber served will find enlightenment here. Useful tables such as the dating of Shakespeare's works and charts for the genealogies of the Houses of Lancaster, York, and Stuart, as well as the Habsburgs and the Bourbons are extremely welcome. Appendices list historical fiction of the period, motion pictures, and sound recordings of Elizabethan music, providing a multidimensional approach to those seeking a balanced picture of the age. Appendix 7 provides a list of web sites devoted to Elizabethan and Tudor culture. These include sites that provide primary source materials, images of ships, persons, and fashions. Readers will be made aware of major internet resources: The English Heritage Web Site, the Folger Shakespeare Library Web Site, and even a site devoted to the Wars of the Roses. An extensive bibliography lists recent works on the Elizabethans and all aspects of their lives and culture. The book is indexed and articles are cross-referenced. A series of maps and a chronology will be most welcome to students of the period. John A. Wagner and the editors at Oryx have prepared a fine one-volume reference work that is sure to be a welcome addition to schools, and to public and academic libraries.