This book investigates how the cultural transition from Catholic hagiography to Protestant national identity reshaped the literary landscape of early modern England. Alison Chapman, a scholar of Renaissance literature, examines the persistence of saintly figures in a post-Reformation society that officially rejected them. By analyzing the works of major authors, she argues that these writers utilized the remnants of hagiographic tradition to negotiate complex political, religious, and local identities during a period of significant theological upheaval.

Scholars recognize this work as a significant contribution to the study of early modern religious culture and its influence on canonical literature. The text is noted for its rigorous archival research and its ability to bridge the gap between historical theology and literary analysis.