Many histories have been written of the governing class that ruled England with such absolute power during the last century of the old régime.

Preface to the first edition.

When this book appeared it was criticised on two grounds.

Preface to the Guild edition.

Micheley comparing French and English history said that whereas in the eighteenth century France had a powerful King, England had a powerful Parliament.

Introduction. The concentration of power.

At the time of the great Whig Revolution, England was in the main a country of commons and of common fields; at the time of the Reform Bill, England was in the main a country of individualist agriculture and of large or medium sized farms.

Chapter I. The village before enclosure.