The aim of this reader - one of a set of four volumes on urban history covering the late 12th to early 20th centuries - is to gather together in an accessible form a number of key contributions to the study of the Tudor and Stuart town. This text explores town life during the period from the economic, social, demographic, political and cultural angle. An introductory essay offers a synthesis of the themes discussed and each article is prefaced with comment indicating its significance, some subsequent criticisms and revisionist ideas.