Oxford University Press - Drama and the Transfer of Power

Explore how political transitions shaped the landscape of Renaissance England in this academic study from Oxford University Press. This book examines five specific moments of power shifts between the sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, beginning with the reign of Henry VIII and moving through to the English Revolution. Readers will learn how drama functioned as a tool for political stability. By looking at masques and civic pageants, the text explains how incoming leaders declared their authority and how subjects demonstrated their loyalty to new regimes. This work provides a deep look at how art forms helped smooth the transition of supreme power during volatile historical periods. Through vivid case studies, the book examines dramatic works that have never been studied in this way before. It is an essential resource for those interested in the connection between theatrical performance and the mechanics of state power during one of the most transformative eras in English history.