This collection investigates the structural shifts and daily operations of the English economy during the seventeenth century through primary source documentation. Joan Thirsk, a distinguished historian formerly of the University of Oxford, curates a selection of archival materials that illuminate the transition from medieval economic practices to early modern commercial systems. By presenting these documents, the author provides a framework for understanding the intersection of agriculture, trade, and social policy during a period of significant national transformation.

Scholars and students of early modern history frequently cite this collection as a vital resource for accessing raw data on the period's economic development. The text is recognized for its academic rigor and serves as a foundational reference for those researching the transition to modern capitalism in England.