The Reign of Elizabeth I, 1558–1603

Oxford History of England #8

by J.B. Black

Few rulers have impressed themselves so forcefully on the memory and imagination of their people as Queen Elizabeth I. 'Elizabethan England' was, in a very real sense, Elizabeth's England, and the country she left behind when she died was a kingdom that had won a commanding position among the great powers of Europe. This book, first published in The Oxford History of England covers all aspects of the reign of Elizabeth, encompassing social and cultural history as well as political and economic. Among the principal issues it deals with are the Religious Settlement, England's relations with foreign powers, notably France and the Netherlands, Mary Stuart's challenge to the succession, the Armada, and the Irish problem. In the sphere of the arts, particular attention is paid to drama and poetry, and developments in the sciences are also discussed.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, British Literature, Tudor Period

559 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 1959

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.

This is J.B.^^Black, where ^=space.

About the Author:
John Bennett Black (1883-1964) is late Emeritus Professor of History at University of Aberdeen.

Reviews

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very serviceable overview of the years of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. The author does use colonial-era language to refer to the peoples of Africa and Ireland which is something a reader should be aware of.

[Lauren Albert · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the stronger books in the series perhaps because it is shorter and more focused.

[John Cairns · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's 539 pages long, not including maps and tables, and is perhaps the best Oxford History after AJP Taylor's. The second last chapter dealt with Ireland, which was a bit of a mess in the Pale or out of it and something had to be done about it but no one knew what, primarily because it hadn't to be a base for the Spanish to attack England. There was a big problem with Hugh O'Neill, the earl of Tyrone, who was cold, calculating and very crafty, and wanted the English out. As you know, from earlier comment, Essex failed to deal with him adequately. The O'Neill called in the pope and the Spanish, who landed at Kinsale, and made a pincer movement with them that should've extirpated the English but didn't. The English, under the very able Mountjoy, had all the luck and won. God was with them, though he does have a sense of humour and while the whole of Ireland was dominated by the English the whole of Ireland was also converted by seminarists to the catholicism of the counter-reformation, so that story's not finished. The queen's was. She took to standing up for fear she'd never rise again from her bed and died. Bloody good.

[Gilbert Wesley Purdy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My edition is a late edition: 1991. A very nice source book.

[Helene Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review - I think that this book is quite detailed as to the events of the reign of Elizabeth I, especially when it comes to the intrigues of Mary Queen of Scots, the Spanish Armada and the rebellion of the Earl of Essex. However, I don't think there is enough focus on the individuals involved like the Earl of Leicester, Amy Robsart, and William Cecil. The text is quite dry and in some places I did find I had to concentrate more than when reading other books on Elizabeth I, but the content of the text itself was obviously well-researched.

General Subject/s? - History / Elizabeth I / Tudors

Recommend? – Maybe

Rating - 15/20