England Under the Tudors: A History of England

A History of England #4

by G.R. Elton

First published in 1955 and never out of print, this wonderfully written text by one of the great historians of the twentieth century has guided generations of students through the turbulent history of Tudor England. Now in its third edition, England Under the Tudors charts a historical period that saw some monumental changes in religion, monarchy, government and the arts. Elton's classic and highly readable introduction to the Tudor period offers an essential source of information from the start of Henry VII's reign to the death of Elizabeth I.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Tudor Period, British Literature, Renaissance, Historical, Medieval

536 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1955

About the author

Sir Geoffrey Rudolph Elton FBA (born Gottfried Rudolf Otto Ehrenberg) was a German-born British political and constitutional historian, specialising in the Tudor period. He taught at Clare College, Cambridge, and was the Regius Professor of Modern History there from 1983 to 1988.

An strong advocate of the primacy of political and administrative history, Elton was the pre-eminent Tudor historian of his day. He also made very significant contributions to the then current debate on the philosophy of historical practice, as well as having a powerful effect on the profession through, among other things, his presidency of the Royal Historical Society.

Reviews

[booklady · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not very readable. I'm torn between one and two stars. I'd rate it 1.5 if I could. This is a secularized, anti-religious view of Tudor England. Why would someone with Mr. Elton's negative opinions on organized religion choose to write about a timeperiod when most of humanity believed so deeply and passionately in God and Church?

I don't claim to have read the entire history. It's a reference text which I pull down and refer to when I want to know more about a particular event, issue or person from/during Tudor England. However, it doesn't take much reading of this text to see that the author hasn't much use for the faith of the people from the era he is supposed to be studying. Perhaps this is supposed to make him an impartial observer, disinterested and therefore more reliable? I know there are those who think like that. I don't share their view. Nevertheless, despite his hostility to both Catholicism and Protestantism, the reader who is aware of this can still make use of England Under the Tudors

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Excellent and solid source of background reading for a knowledge of the Tudor period, stretching from Henry VII to Elizabeth I. Elton covers many areas: politics, government, legislation, religion, trade, economy, society, literature, education and naval exploration, among others. In fact, his mastery of facts and details is so encyclopedic as to provoke a feeling of information overload. He seems to be fair-minded on most issues--although his description of England's conflicts with Ireland put the latter in a bad light. He changed my views on people like Cardinal Wolsey and Thomas Cromwell. He seems to concentrate on the reign of Elizabeth, and while not overlooking her faults, sees her as wise and moderate in many things.

[Andrew Theobald · Rating 3 out of 5]

A classic, and for good reason. Wonderfully written and often surprisingly funny (particularly when Elton brings the hammer down in judgement). Yes, the detailed sections on the Tudor revolution in government and the economy can be tedious, hence the three stars, but they are as influential as ever. Read in tandem with Susan Brigden's wonderful New Worlds, Lost Worlds - which is much stronger on social history, the role of women, and Ireland - you gain an incredible perspective on the age of the Tudors.

[Lee Snyder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly thorough. A masterwork of scholarship.

[Matthew Welker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good comprehensive & slightly more academic leaning general history book. It may be a bit dated, but I enjoyed it for what it was. Really learned a lot about the Tudor age. Plus I liked Elton’s writing style. That very blunt writing of historians of his day can just be quite entertaining at times. Man cooked up some fire sentences.

Now I don’t rate this perfectly because while Elton’s expertise is the Tudors, I felt the book was at its best when covering the reign of Henry VIII. I like that he dedicated time to figures like Wolsey and Thomas Cromwell. The latter becoming one of my favorite figures in history. Man was a master at his craft and I think this book is worth it alone for just getting Elton’s insight into Henry VIII and the English reformation.

[Oliver Laming · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting notes on the transition between household/personal and bureaucratic rule. Fairly convincing on the surface.
He can be very cutting about statesman who he doesn’t rate, particularly Cardinal Wolsey but also Emperor Maximilian, Shane O’Neil and Robert Deverux Earl of Essex.
Details about Cromwellian reorganisation of wales interesting and oft overlooked. I also appreciate the treatment of Elizabeth’s war with Spain goes beyond analysis of the Armada. Draws interesting link between Tudor theorists and organic conception of the state which he contrasts with later Whig ideas.

[Rob Markley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I binge read this while in bed with the flu - possibly not the best head space for a valid evaluation? However I thought it did a really excellent job of covering the field - notwithstanding the revisionism that is going on in Elizabethan history - seeking manipulation of the political system from the likes of Duke of Bedford etc

[Yanper · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sir Geoffrey R. Elton has created quite a paradox in the fact that this text is not for the casual reader but it is an excellent overview of the Tudor era. Written in the 1950s the syntax is sophisticated and the style of language is one with which historians will be familiar.

Of the most interest to this reviewer was the coverage Elton devoted throughout to comparing Henry VII and Elizabeth I. For further analysis of the similarities between these two monarchs, visit the blog entries starting at http://elizregina.com/2013/01/08/the-....

It is obvious that Elton admired the qualities of Henry VII and Elizabeth I, understood the motives of Henry VIII and recognized the constraints that Edward VI and Mary I operated within. He also acknowledged the distinguished careers of the likes of Thomas Wolsey, Thomas Cromwell , and William Cecil.

Although Henry VIII’s fluctuating polices and his inconsistent responses to world events make for exciting reading—the extended coverage of Elizabeth was appropriate (due to her lengthy reign) and appreciated (because of her political astuteness and skill). Sir Geoffrey’s evaluation of whether Elizabeth’s rule was an extension of the Medieval Era or an introduction to the Modern Era was an excellent work of political and historical analysis.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A solid, delightfully written and thorough overview of the period in English history dominated by that remarkable family that starred Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. The emphasis of the book is politics, religious matters (this was the period of the break with Rome and the establishment of England as a Protestant country) and foreign affairs, and how they all interacted. There are also chapters on economics, culture, legal matters, administration and social relations. Elton makes this all an easy read, amazingly enough. The book was first published back in the early 1950s - and has been in print ever since - and historians back then had to know how to write as well as mastering the facts. His witty asides are not the least enjoyable part of this fine work. Recommended to anyone with an interest in early modern English history.

[Helene Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review - Although some of Elton's opinions are a little outdated nowadays, it is still a very interesting read, and an excellent overview of the Tudor period. I found it particularly interesting to read because, having read a lot around the subject, I can see how opinions have changed and developed. This makes it particularly interesting from a historiographical point of view. Nevertheless, all of the important (and not so important events) are in here, from the Perkin Warbeck rebellion, through Henry VIII's divorce from Katherine of Aragon, to Mary I's burning of protestants through to the Spanish Armada.

General Subject/s? - History / Tudors / Henry VIII / Elizabeth I / Henry VII / Edward VI / Mary I

Recommend? – Yes

Rating - 14/20

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This text is definitely worth looking at from a historiographical point of view. However if used to gain insight into this period, many statements have to be taken with a grain of salt as his bias in relation to religion, politics, and misogyny, especially towards Elizabeth I is clearly evident.

[Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

A classic even if now much Revised by Elton's own students and their followers