This collection takes a thematic approach to eighteenth-century history, covering such topics as domestic politics (including popular political culture), religious developments and changes, social and demographic structure and growth, and culture. It presents a lively picture of an era of intense change and growth.

• Introduction: Time and space


• 1: David Hayton: Contested kingdoms, 1688-1796


• 2: David Hempton: Enlightenment and faith


• 3: Joanna Innes: Governing diverse societies


• 4: Martin Daunton: The wealth of the nation


• 5: Peter Borsay: The culture of improvement


• 6: Michael Duffy: Contested Empire, 1756-1815


• Epilogue


• Further Reading


• Chronology


• Maps


• Index

Paul Langford is Rector of Lincoln College, Oxford, and has been a Professor of Modern History at Oxford since 1996. Amongst his numerous publications are A Polite and Commercial People: English 1727-83 and Englishness Identified: Manner and Character, 1650-1850.