this thesis is based on the premise that the extant printed works of 1597 capture the flavour and temper of english life in that year. it considers all of the extant printed works from 1597 printed in england or in english abroad during that year. for the sake of convenience, the publications have been divided into the natural areas into which they seem to fall: religion, the arts, education and learning, topical works, and government and the law. these works are then examined against the fascinating and piquant background of the english renaissance.