This book will help researchers to navigate the vast collection of documents surviving from the period 14851603 within archival collections. The volume is a practical guide to the language and form of the key manuscript types. It also offers explanation and context on why these records were created and what their original purpose was. This discussion in turn links the archival sources to a range of potential modern research activities. Previous companions to Tudor England and research guides have either focused on key individuals and narrative events, or have analysed groups of sources in isolation. This volume focuses more broadly on written manuscripts as a way of enhancing the position of sixteenth century documents as part of Britain's national heritage. It offers a broad survey of institutions and processes; and in providing tools for document interpretation (such as handwriting, dating and the formulaic structure of essential types), the book also explains the functions of the written records in their administrative and social setting. Researching Tudor government is aimed at researchers approaching Tudor archival collections for the first time.

The main focus is intended to be postgraduate students who will receive additional instruction in historical analysis but who might not be introduced to the arrangement and interpretation of manuscript sources. However, anyone with an interest in Tudor documents will find the contents of the volume valuable. Information is presented that addresses skills and knowledge linked to the documents themselves, rather than less enduring debates over the discussion and interpretation of relevant evidence.