Book excerpt: A Companion to British Literature is a comprehensive guide to British literature and the contexts and ideas that have shaped and transformed it over the past thirteen centuries. Its four volumes cover literature from all periods and places in Britain and demonstrate the wide variety of approaches to studying the subject. Provides an authoritative reference on British literature, and the contexts, writers, and ideas that have shaped and transformed it over the past thirteen centuries Spans historical, social, political, domestic, linguistic, institutional, and material contexts Offers the most inclusive and far-reaching overview available of British literature from 700-2,000,across four volumes and over 100 chapters Written by an internationally diverse range of expert contributors including both distinguished academics and up-and-coming young stars Comprises readings from across geographical, cultural, institutional, economic and mediological contexts Features a general index and a thematic table of contents to enable readers to navigate the development of British Literature 4 Volumes www.britishliteraturecompanion.com