Many readers today associate the early modern history play with Shakespeare. While not wishing to ignore the influence of Shakespeare, this collection of essays explores other historical drama between 1500 and 1660, covering a wide range of different formats. An introduction provides a survey of current criticism, exploring both early modern and contemporary definitions of the 'history play'. Individual essays in chronological order discuss a wide variety of possible sources for historical drama, ranging from oral traditions to chronicles. They also explore genres outside the canon which think of 'history' in different ways, such as shows, moralities and closet drama.

' English Historical Drama illuminates the enduring link between history and drama in early modern society.' - John Ridpath, Times Literary Supplement

JANETTE DILLON is Professor of Drama in the School of English Studies, University of Nottingham, UK MARK HUTCHINGS is Lecturer in the School of English and American Literature, University of Reading, UK ANDREW W. TAYLOR is Fellow and Director of Studies in English at Churchill College, Cambridge, UK MICHAEL ULLYOT is Assistant Professor of English at the University of Calgary, Canada