Peter Edwards, D.Phil. (1976: Oxford University) is Professor Emeritus at Roehampton University. He has written extensively on the multi-functional role of horses in pre-modern society. Publications include Horse and man in early modern England (London: 2007).Elspeth Graham, PhD (1986: University of Manchester) is Professor of Early-Modern Literature at Liverpool John Moores University. She has written on early-modern women's writing, nonconformist literature and animal/human relationships. Her current work is on early play cultures and socio-cultural connections.Contributors are: Malcolm Airs; Madeleine Dewhurst; Alison Findlay; James Fitzmaurice; Lisa Hopkins; Andrew Hopper; Monica Mattfield; Richard Nash; Karen Raber; Timothy Raylor; Lisa Sarasohn; Elaine Walker; Adrian Woodhouse.

• AcknowledgementsNotes on EditorsNotes on ContributorsList of IllustrationsI: Aristocratic IdentityAdrian WoodhouseSetting the Scenes : the pre-Civil War building works of William Cavendish in contextElspeth Graham‘An After-Game of Reputation’: Systems of Representation, William Cavendish and the Battle of Marston MoorAlison FindlayFlogging a Dead Horse?: Margaret Cavendish and the Pursuit of AuthorityLisa HopkinsThe Concealed Fancies and Cavendish IdentityMalcolm AirsCourtly Rivalry: the Context for William Cavendish’s Equestrian Buildings II: Politics and AuthorityTim RaylorHobbes, the Cavendishes and the Science of MotionLisa SarasohnThe Role of Honour in the Life of William Cavendish and the Philosophy of Thomas Hobbes Andy HopperWilliam Cavendish as a Military CommanderMadeline DewhurstThe Double-Edged Sword: William Cavendish’s Political Career in Exile, 1644-60James FitzmauriceWhimsy, Medieval Romance and the Court in the Life of William Cavendish III: Horsemanship, Authority and IdentityElaine Walker‘The Epitome of Horsemanship’: William Cavendish’s Method ‘anatomized’Monica MattfeldEmbodying ‘Bonne Homme a Cheval’: William Cavendish and the Politics of the Centaur Peter EdwardsManèging to survive: Horsemanship and the Rehabilitation of the Exiled William CavendishRichard NashWilliam Cavendish: Riding School and Race-TrackKaren RaberCavendish’s Horsemanship Treatises and Cultural CapitalIndex Nominum