This work investigates the evolution of English historical consciousness and the ways in which historical narratives have been constructed and utilized to define national identity. Herbert Butterfield, a prominent historian of the twentieth century, examines how the interpretation of the past has shifted over time, particularly in relation to the development of the English constitution and political thought. By analyzing the work of earlier historians and political thinkers, he demonstrates how specific historical myths were cultivated to serve contemporary political agendas. The text serves as a critical examination of the Whig interpretation of history and its enduring influence on the English intellectual tradition.

This text is regarded as a foundational study in the field of historiography, noted for its rigorous analysis of how historical narratives are formed and manipulated. The work provides a dense, scholarly examination of the English intellectual tradition that remains relevant for students of history and political theory.