Customer Reviews

The Later Tudors: England, 1547-1603 (New Oxford History of England)

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This fine survey is an excellent overview of the later Tudors. Unlike some other volumes of the excellent New Oxford History of England, this volume follows a conventional periodization with this volume beginning with reign of Edward VI and concluding with the death of Elizabeth. Williams alternates narrative and thematic chapters in this very well written volume. There is fine coverage of major social, economic, and religous developments, and the narrative sections are excellent. The general importance of the court and monarchy is a prominent theme throughout the book. Continuity with the major changes of the Henrician period is another imprtant theme. Since much of this period is Elizabeth's reign, her personality and behavior is a major aspect of the narrative. An intelligent monarch with a talent for picking capable servants, she is also shown to be indecisive and parsimonious. The complex relationships with Scotland and Ireland are discussed very well. Williams makes the interesting point that while the English monarchy had nominally less power due to sharing power with Parliament than Valois France or Hapsburg Spain, other aspects of the English system enhanced central power.