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The Description of England
"… for when our houses were builded of willow, then had we oaken men; but now that our houses are come to be made of oak, our men are not only become willow but a great many, through Persian delicacy crept in among us, altogether of straw, which is a sore alteration." — Of Woods and Marshes, The Description of England
Originally written as part of an introduction to Holinshed's Chronicles, The Description of England provides an unparalleled account of life in Shakespeare's England. A cleric and historian, William Harrison (1535-93) compiled detailed accounts of nearly every aspect of English food and diet, laws, clothing, punishments for criminals, castles and palaces, antiquities, metals and minerals, dogs, fish, cattle, languages, inns and thoroughfares, rivers, the appearance of the people, and much more.
Brimming with fascinating information, enlivened by the author's wide-ranging curiosity, keen-eyed observation of his country and country men, and unabashed nationalism, the book is a monumental reference that ranks today as a classic of social description. As the editor, Georges Edelen, points out in his Introduction, "No other work of the age gives so compendious and readable an account of life in Shakespeare's England, and no similar book has been so deeply quarried by later writers on the period."
Now students, historians, Anglophiles — all who are interested in Renaissance England — can immerse themselves in this richly detailed study and enjoy a colorful, realistic picture of English life four centuries ago.
Originally written as part of an introduction to Holinshed's Chronicles, The Description of England provides an unparalleled account of life in Shakespeare's England. A cleric and historian, William Harrison (1535-93) compiled detailed accounts of nearly every aspect of English food and diet, laws, clothing, punishments for criminals, castles and palaces, antiquities, metals and minerals, dogs, fish, cattle, languages, inns and thoroughfares, rivers, the appearance of the people, and much more.
Brimming with fascinating information, enlivened by the author's wide-ranging curiosity, keen-eyed observation of his country and country men, and unabashed nationalism, the book is a monumental reference that ranks today as a classic of social description. As the editor, Georges Edelen, points out in his Introduction, "No other work of the age gives so compendious and readable an account of life in Shakespeare's England, and no similar book has been so deeply quarried by later writers on the period."
Now students, historians, Anglophiles — all who are interested in Renaissance England — can immerse themselves in this richly detailed study and enjoy a colorful, realistic picture of English life four centuries ago.
560 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1968
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87 people want to read
About the author
William Harrison
138 books6 followersWilliam Harrison (18 April 1534 – 24 April 1593) was an English clergyman.
Harrison entered Christ Church, Oxford and in 1560 was awarded his Bachelor's degree. Continuing his theological studies at Cambridge, Harrison took the degree of Bachelor of Divinity in 1571. In the same year he was instituted vicar of Wimbish in Essex. Harrison also held positions at another two London parishes. Near the end of his life, Harrison received an appointment as a canon at St. George's Chapel at Windsor, city wherehe was buried in 1593.
Harrison has principally been known for his "Description of England", first published in 1577 as part of "Holinshed's Chronicle". This work enumerated England's geographic, economic, social, religious and political features and represents an important source for historians interested in life in Elizabethan England. He gathered his facts from books, letters, maps, the notes of John Leland, and conversations with antiquaries and local historians like his friends John Stow and William Camden. He also used his own observation, experience and wit, and wrote in a conversational tone without pedantry, which has made the work a Harvard Classic. The result is a compendium of Elizabethan England during the youth of William Shakespeare. "No work of the time contains so vivid and picturesque a sketch," was the assessment of The Cambridge History of English and American Literature.
Harrison also wrote a number of unpublished manuscripts, including The Great English Chronologie. This work traced fortunes of the Christian church in history, stretching from creation to his own time. In the Chronologie, Harrison revealed his sympathy with the Calvinist perspective of those seeking to reform the Church of England. At the same time, Harrison also indicated his distrust of the political intentions of England's Puritans and his ultimate loyalty to England's ecclesiastical authorities.
Harrison entered Christ Church, Oxford and in 1560 was awarded his Bachelor's degree. Continuing his theological studies at Cambridge, Harrison took the degree of Bachelor of Divinity in 1571. In the same year he was instituted vicar of Wimbish in Essex. Harrison also held positions at another two London parishes. Near the end of his life, Harrison received an appointment as a canon at St. George's Chapel at Windsor, city wherehe was buried in 1593.
Harrison has principally been known for his "Description of England", first published in 1577 as part of "Holinshed's Chronicle". This work enumerated England's geographic, economic, social, religious and political features and represents an important source for historians interested in life in Elizabethan England. He gathered his facts from books, letters, maps, the notes of John Leland, and conversations with antiquaries and local historians like his friends John Stow and William Camden. He also used his own observation, experience and wit, and wrote in a conversational tone without pedantry, which has made the work a Harvard Classic. The result is a compendium of Elizabethan England during the youth of William Shakespeare. "No work of the time contains so vivid and picturesque a sketch," was the assessment of The Cambridge History of English and American Literature.
Harrison also wrote a number of unpublished manuscripts, including The Great English Chronologie. This work traced fortunes of the Christian church in history, stretching from creation to his own time. In the Chronologie, Harrison revealed his sympathy with the Calvinist perspective of those seeking to reform the Church of England. At the same time, Harrison also indicated his distrust of the political intentions of England's Puritans and his ultimate loyalty to England's ecclesiastical authorities.
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August 16, 2012One of the larger, more detailed views into Elizabethan England. Edelan’s preface provides welcome clarity on the various edits and modernizations made to the text. Harrison himself was a servant—household chaplain to Lord Cobham—but his views should not be thought of as representing the common man; as noted in E. D. Pendry’s review of the book and evidenced by the many classical references, Harrison was a very learned man and eager to demonstrate it.
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