John Knox's History of the Reformation in Scotland

A new scholarly, fully annotated edition of John Knox's classic History of the Reformation in Scotland is long overdue. Knox, a key figure in the international Reformation and the establishment of the Protestant Church in Scotland, began this work as a defence of the revolutionary stage of the Scottish Reformation (1558-60), and extended it to include accounts of earlier Scottish reformers and the personal rule of Mary Queen of Scots (1561-1567). The 'History' is the premier contemporary narrative account of the Scottish Reformation and key to any study of the period. Its value is enhanced by Knox's inclusion of documentary sources (many of which are otherwise unrecorded), and its scope benefits from Knox's experience as a reformer in England, Germany and Switzerland. It is also an important source of information on Knox's career and his relationship with leading figures of his day. The last scholarly edition in the original orthography was edited by David Laing in 1847. The present edition aims to reproduce Knox's text using the earliest surviving manuscript, dated to 1566, taking account of variations in all other early manuscripts. The result is an extensive revision of the Laing text, which it will replace as the standard edition. This will be a vital requirement for all libraries and collections in religion and history throughout the world. The work includes an Introduction, full indexes to persons (with biographical details), places and subjects, over two hundred references to biblical quotations and allusions, a map and glossary.