It is hoped that the present series may strike the happy mean, by dividing up English History into periods that are neither too long to be dealt with by a single competent specialist, nor so short as to tempt the writer to indulge in that over-abundance of unimportant detail which repels the general reader. They are intended to give something more than a mere outline of our national annals, but they have little space for controversy or the discussion of sources, save in periods such as the dark age of the 5th and 6th centuries after Christ, where the criticism of authorities is absolutely necessary if we are to arrive at any sound conclusions as to the course of history. A number of maps are to be found at the end of each volume which, as it is hoped, will make it unnecessary for the reader to be continually referring to large historical atlases--tomes which (as we must confess with regret) are not to be discovered in every private library. Genealogies and chronological tables of kings are added where necessary. C. OMAN CONTENTS INTRODUCTION THE TUDOR PERIOD, 1485-1603 An era of Revolutions--The Intellectual Movement--The Reformation and Counter-Reformation--The New World--The Constitution--Nobility, Clergy, and Gentry--International Relations. CHAPTER I HENRY VII (i), 1485-1492-THE NEW DYNASTY 1485. Henry's Title to the Crown-- Measures to strengthen the Title--1486. Marriage--The King and his Advisers --Henry's enemies--1487. Lambert Simnel--The State of Europe--France and Brittany--1488. Henry intervenes cautiously--England and Spain--1489. Preparations for war with France--Spanish treaty of Medina del Campo--The Allies inert--1490. Object of Henry's Foreign Policy--1491. Apparent Defeat --1492. Henry's bellicose Attitude--Treaty of Etaples. CHAPTER II HENRY VII (ii), 1492-1499-PERKIN WARBECK Ireland; 1485--1487-1492. The Earl of Kildare--1491. Perkin Warbeck's Appearance--Riddle of his imposture-- 1492-5. Perkin and Margaret of Burgundy--Diplomatic Intrigues--Ireland: Poynings, 1494-6--1495. Survey of the Situation--Perkin attempts Invasion --Success of Henry's Diplomacy--1496. Perkin and the King of Scots--A Scottish Incursion--1497. The Cornish rising--Its suppression--Perkin's final effort and failure--The Scottish Truce--The End of Perkin Warbeck: 1497-9--1498. The situation. CHAPTER III HENRY VII (iii), 1498-1509-THE DYNASTY ASSURED Scotland and England-- Henry's Scottish Policy--France and Scotland--Relations in 1498--Marriage Negotiations; 1498-1503--Marriage of James IV. and Margaret, 1503--Spain and England; Marriage Negotiations, 1488-1499--France, 1499--Spain; Marriage Negotiations, 1499-1501--1501; the Spanish Marriage--1502. New Marriage Schemes--1504. The Papal Dispensation--The Earl of Suffolk; 1499-1505--1505. Henry's Position--Schemes for Re-marriage--1506: The Archduke Philip in England--Philip's Death--1507-8. Matrimonial Projects --The League of Cambrai--Wolsey--1509. Death of Henry. CHAPTER IV