Raphael Holinshed's Chronicles were Shakespeare's guide to the traditional tale of England's past.

Pictured here is one volume of the revised Chronicles, published in 1587. Noah's biblical flood begins the story of nationhood, which ends up to the minute with the reign of Elizabeth I.

Holinshed himself only made notes towards this second edition. When he died, it was left to other chroniclers - men like William Harrison - to complete the work. [click here to view a detail]