Sir Keith Thomas is a Fellow of All Souls College and former President of Corpus Christi College, Oxford. He is the author of several highly acclaimed books on early modern England, including Religion and the Decline of Magic, which won the Wolfson Literary Award for History in 1972. A former trustee of the National Gallery and the British Museum, he is an Honorary Vice-President of the Royal Historical Society and was President of the British Academy between 1993 and 1997.

A compellingly readable book, richly researched, fascinatingly detailed, delightfully written... [Thomas's] vast and voracious acquaintance with the printed trace of the early modern past is on display once again.

• Introduction ; 1. Fulfilment in an Age of Limited Possibilities ; 2. Military Prowess ; 3. Work and Vocation ; 4. Wealth and Possessions ; 5. Honour and Reputation ; 6. Friendship and Sociability ; 7. Fame and the Afterlife ; Note on References ; Abbreviations ; Notes ; Index

Sir Keith Thomas is a Fellow of All Souls College and former President of Corpus Christi College, Oxford. He is the author of several highly acclaimed books on early modern England, including Religion and the Decline of Magic, which won the Wolfson Literary Award for History in 1972. A former trustee of the National Gallery and the British Museum, he is an Honorary Vice-President of the Royal Historical Society and was President of the British Academy between 1993 and 1997.

A compellingly readable book, richly researched, fascinatingly detailed, delightfully written... [Thomas's] vast and voracious acquaintance with the printed trace of the early modern past is on display once again.

• Introduction ; 1. Fulfilment in an Age of Limited Possibilities ; 2. Military Prowess ; 3. Work and Vocation ; 4. Wealth and Possessions ; 5. Honour and Reputation ; 6. Friendship and Sociability ; 7. Fame and the Afterlife ; Note on References ; Abbreviations ; Notes ; Index

Sir Keith Thomas is a Fellow of All Souls College and former President of Corpus Christi College, Oxford. He is the author of several highly acclaimed books on early modern England, including Religion and the Decline of Magic, which won the Wolfson Literary Award for History in 1972. A former trustee of the National Gallery and the British Museum, he is an Honorary Vice-President of the Royal Historical Society and was President of the British Academy between 1993 and 1997.

A compellingly readable book, richly researched, fascinatingly detailed, delightfully written... [Thomas's] vast and voracious acquaintance with the printed trace of the early modern past is on display once again.

• Introduction ; 1. Fulfilment in an Age of Limited Possibilities ; 2. Military Prowess ; 3. Work and Vocation ; 4. Wealth and Possessions ; 5. Honour and Reputation ; 6. Friendship and Sociability ; 7. Fame and the Afterlife ; Note on References ; Abbreviations ; Notes ; Index