Social Change and Continuity in Early Modern England 1590-1750

A survey of the social history of early modern England which uses supporting historical documents. Developments in the new approach to, and redefinition of, social history over recent years, and the structure of early modern English society, are examined and analyzed.

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This volume is part of the "Seminar Studies in History" series which aims to provide concise analyses of complex issues and problems in important A level modern history topics. They use supporting documents designed to give students a clear account of historical facts and an understanding of the central themes and differing interpretations. The present book attempts to provide a survey of the social history of early modern England 1590-1720, drawing on recent work concerning the nature of, and the changes in, English society during that period. The author traces the developments of the new approach to and redefinition of social history and then considers the structure of early modern English society. Fundamental changes during the period, such as changes in the material conditions of people and in the structure of society, and changes in people's beliefs and modes of thought, are treated separately. The work concludes with a view of English society of the early 18th century as one which was already modern in some of its features and which had already broken out of its medieval mould.
Documents from a wide range of sources are used, including the works of contemporary commentators and travellers, their diaries and letters, official records and contemporary plays and poems.