These essays concentrate on the social history and political thought of the English Revolution of 1640-1660. Topics covered include the origin and course of the revolt against the government of Charles I, the social character of the revolution and important political figures such as Strafford, Pym and Clarendon. One set of studies focuses on the thought of Thomas Hobbes, whose political philosophy was closely related to the revolutionary experience. Other essays set the English Revolution in the wider context of early modern European revolutions, and look at the English royal court, courtiership and the practice of dissimulation associated with court politics.