This comprehensive guide to the historical and cultural context of English Literature covers the core periods of literature, and history, from the English Renaissance to the present.

This comprehensive guide to the historical and cultural context of English Literature covers the core periods of literature, and history, from the English Renaissance to the present. It introduces and outlines key terms, concepts and developments and provides a series of timelines showing political, social, cultural and literary events for each year. Together it offers a concise history of Britain for literature students and provides readers with the context for any literary work from 1500 to 2000.

Brief Contents
Detailed Contents
Acknowledgements
Introduction: Premises and Procedures
How to Use the Book
Abbreviations Used Throughout
1500 1649: The English Reformation and Renaissance
1650 1699: Commonwealth and Restoration
1700 1789: The Augustan Period
1790 1829: The Romantic Period
1830 1899: The Victorian Period 1900 1939: World War I and the Modernist Period
1940 1959: World War II and the Post War Period
1960 1979: The Nineteen Sixties and Seventies
1980 2000: The Contemporary Period
Works Used for Reference
Alphabetical Index of British Authors