‘No Historie So Meete’ : Gentry Culture and the Development of Local History in Elizabethan and Early Stuart England

This book explores the importance of history to Elizabethan and early Stuart gentry and how this led to a vibrant antiquarian culture. The family, town and county histories written by the community, which form the core of the study, had an influence on the development of local history in England which lasted into the twentieth century and is still felt today. Front matter Contents List of figures Acknowledgements List of abbreviations and key to selected references Introduction The development of local history in England before 1660 The national context of local history The development of regional networks Sources for local history Genealogical history Didactic history Local history and the physical world Conclusion Appendix: the major figures and works used Index Provides a survey of local history activity in Elizabethan and Early Stuart England. This book considers the practicalities of doing local history in the period, rather than just looking at the results. It relates the historiography with the gentry culture of the period, showing how the past influenced contemporary society and attitudes.