Elizabeth Revisited
The Reign of Elizabeth, 1558-1603. By J. B. Black. (Oxford History of England, 35s.) Six volumes of the Oxford History of England have now gone into a second edition, Professor Black has re-written more extensively than most of his colleagues, allowing himself an additional ninety pages. What subjects in the reign of Eliza- beth would seem most in need of reconsideration since 1936? Where has the emphasis of historical research lain? Our knowledge of the Elizabethan House of Commons has been revolutionised by Sir John Neale's trilogy. Administration has been illuminated by studies of the Court of Wards (Messrs. Bell and Hurstfield), by chapters on administration and finance in Dr. Rowse's 6igland of Elizabeth, and by Dr. Elton's writings on the earlier half of the century. Professor Haller's Rise of Puritanism, and many other hooks on Elizabethan Puritanism suggest that this, t°0, needs reconsideration. Yet none of the relevant sections of Professor Black's book have been significantly rewritten. He mentions, indeed, the controversy over the rise or decline of the gentry, which fluttered academic dovecotes a few Years back; but his conclusion is safe rather than Scintillating: Perhaps we might say that the sub- ject still awaits clarification.'
Where do the extra ninety pages go? Twenty- six are in a chapter on Mary Stuart, and deal mainly with Anglo-Scottish diplomacy and that hardy annual, Mary's guilt or innocence; another twenty-six are in the chapter entitled 'The Later Years of the Reign,' and concern the character of the Earl of Essex and the tortuous diplomacy which brought James Vi to the English throne. Character sketches of Elizabeth and James, and of many minor figures, are expanded : American Shakespeare criticism is attacked. The book is
thus reinforced where it is strongest—on diplo- macy, the author's special expertise, and par- ticularly Anglo-Scottish relations; and on person- alities. These additions underline the fact that Professor Black's emphasis is rather one-sided; and the side is an old-fashioned one. His volume has many solid virtues, and is agreeably free from
idolatry of Elizabeth; but there is still room for a textbook on the reign which would combine Professor Black's sobriety and , balance with a more dashing approach to the new material on religious, administrative, social and economic history.
CHRISTOPHER HILL
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