The first volume of A History of English Literature covers literature from the Anglo-Saxon period to the early eighteenth century. Divided into five sections, this volume delves into the socio-political and cultural context of different monarchical eras and sets various literary works against this backdrop. The book introduces each section with a timeline and traverses various literary landscapes, from the mythological and heroic saga of Beowulf, Chaucer?s Canterbury Tales to scathing satires of Dryden and Pope. The five sections are supplemented with background readings by Mirandola, Castiglione, Calvin and Sidney, and bibliography, making it a holistic book for the students. This book serves as an indispensable guide for students as it delves into the cultural, historical and philosophical contexts that shaped the literary masterpieces of these extraordinary eras.