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. Peter Widdowson 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, this indispensable reference work offers a concise history of Britain for literature students at all levels and provides readers with the context for any literary work from 1500 to 2000. The Palgrave Guide to English Literature and its Contexts, 1500-2000- Overs a wide range of canonical British authors and works but also provides contextualising examples of works from other countries- Each chapter focuses on a key period in English Literature and History, gives a brief overview of that period, and defines the main terms and ideas of the age- Contains easy-to-follow timelines which may be viewed either horizontally or vertically, allowing readers to track a chronological history, or single out the developments and events of a specific year