
audiobook
by Paul Hentzner, Sir Robert Naunton
Transcribed from the 1892 Cassell & Co. edition by Jane Duff and proofed by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org
A German scholar’s 1597 journey brings listeners straight into the heart of Elizabethan England. From the bustling ports of Rye and the swift post‑horses that lace the countryside to the towering spires of London, the narrative paints a vivid picture of daily life, architecture, and the restless energy of a nation at its cultural peak. The traveler’s keen eye captures the mix of ancient myth and new commerce that defines the capital, offering listeners a textured sense of place without stray into later historical drama.
Joined by the reflective voice of a native courtier, the companion essays turn the travelogue into a personal portrait of Queen Elizabeth’s court. Through anecdotes about her favorites, court rituals, and the genteel circles of Cambridge and the royal household, the work reveals the social hierarchy and the genteel ambitions that animated the era. Together, these perspectives create an intimate tour that lets modern ears hear the sounds, sights, and conversations of a remarkable period in English history.
Full title
Travels in England during the reign of Queen Elizabeth; with Fragmenta regalia or, Observations on Queen Elizabeth, her times and favourites or, Observations on Queen Elizabeth, her times and favourites
Language
en
Duration
~3 hours (198K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
Dec 1, 1999
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
1558–1623
Best known for a vivid travel account of Elizabethan England, this German lawyer left readers one of the most memorable outsider's views of late 16th-century Europe. His writing mixes sharp observation with the curiosity of a traveler moving through courts, cities, and daily life.
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1563–1635
A court insider in the age of Elizabeth I and James I, this lawyer, politician, and writer is best remembered for his sharp, memorable portraits of Tudor power. His work opens a lively window onto the people and politics behind the English court.
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