A range of 16th- and 17th-century texts are used to discuss gender and sexual relations in early modern England. The focus is on prevailing conceptions of sexuality and gender in Tudor and Stuart society, revealed through a selection of religious texts, manuals, ballads and legal texts.

First published in 1998. This anthology coomprises a diverse range of historical treatises and tracts that discuss and debate gender and sexual relations in early modern England. Combining complete texts and extracts-many hitherto unavailable in modern editions-the collection focuses on prevailing conceptions of sexuality and gender in major areas and institutions of Tudor and Stuart society. A broad selection of religious sermons, moral handbooks, household manuals, midwifery and legal textbooks, ballads and chapbooks has been chosen.