At the turn of the century, the United Kingdom ruled an empire on which the sun never set. Today, this country, shorn of the bulk of its overseas empire, is currently debating the merits of European integration. Although no longer the ruler of vast dominions, the United Kingdom continues to exert important influence in world affairs. The first volume of the Historical Dictionary of the United Kingdom is an essential and handy reference work to England and the United Kingdom in general. The forthcoming second volume will examine Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. It contains concise dictionary entries on the prominent personalities, events, and institutions that shaped British history as well as entries that detail noteworthy places and aspects of the country's economic, social, and cultural life. This historical dictionary also provides a handy overview of geography and history of the country, a chronology, lists of monarchs and prime ministers, several maps, a substantial bibliography and a useful appendix of entries that will appear in the forthcoming second volume.