The history of England is a continuous movement and a series of constant changes. But the entire history of England, starting from primitive times, is permeated by continuity, so that the main thing in it is not change, but constancy. To this day, in England there is an inextricable connection with the past, with traditions and customs. Until now, this country has resisted change in any aspect of life. Peter Ackroyd shows the origins of England's age-old persistence, conservatism and commitment to the past. The focus of this book is the period of English history that was marked by the reigns of James VI (James I), who became the first Stuart on the English throne after the death of Elizabeth I, and Charles I; two civil wars, the victory of parliament, the industrial revolution; the protectorate of the great commander Oliver Cromwell, the Stuart restoration, the reign of Charles II and finally James II, overthrown by the Glorious Revolution. The pages bring vividly to life the tumultuous 17th century, with its political vicissitudes and rich cultural life, a remarkable literature that includes Shakespeare's late masterpieces, Jacobite tragedies, the poetry of John Donne and John Milton, and Thomas Hobbes' philosophical treatise Leviathan. As is typical of the writings of Peter Ackroyd, the book provides a broad insight into the lives of ordinary English subjects against a backdrop of constant socio-political upheaval and uncertainty. The multifaceted historical narrative is perfectly complemented by 36 illustrations on a color insert. The publishing layout is preserved in PDF A4 format.