The Routledge Companion to the Tudor Age

Book excerpt: This new Companion is an invaluable guide to one of the most colourful periods in history. Covering everything from the Reformation, controversies over the succession and the prayer book to literature, the family and education, this highly accessible reference tool contains commentary on the key events in the reigns of the five Tudor monarchs from Henry VII to Elizabeth I. Opening with a general introduction, it includes a wealth of chronologies, biographies, statistics, and maps, as well as a glossary and a guide to the key works in the field. Topics covered include: The establishment of the Tudor dynasty; monarchs and their consorts; rebellions against the Tudors The legal system- central and ecclesiastical courts Government- central and local; the Monarchy and Parliament The Church – structure and changes throughout this tumultuous period Ireland- timeline of key events Population- numbers and distribution The World of Learning- education; literature; religion The key debates in the field. This book will be essential reading for all those with an interest in the Tudor Age.