1. See e.g.The Origins of the Modern State in Europe, eds W Blockmans and J.P. Genet, 7 vols (Oxford, 1995-) or the large-scaleRepertorium der Policeyordnungen der Frühen Neuzeit, compiled under the auspices of theMax Planck-Institut für Europäische Rechtsgeschichte(Frankfurt am Main). For a first survey of the many national, chronological and thematic variations apparent from the latter cf.Policey im Europa der frühen Neuzeit, ed. Michael Stolleis (Frankfun, 1996).
2. N. Henshall,The Myth of Absolutism: Change and Continuity in Early Modern European Monarchy(2nd edn, London, 1993). R.G. Asch and H. Duchhardt,Der Absolutismus—ein Mythos?(Cologne, 1996).
3. H.G. Koenigsberger,Early Modern Europe 1500–1789(London, 1987), p. 182.
4. M. Förster,The Counter-Reformation in the Villages: Religion and Reform in the Bishopric of Speyer 1560–1720(Ithaca, 1992); B. Kumin, ‘The fear of intrusion: communal resilience in early modern England’,Fear in Early Modern Society, eds P. Roberts and W.G. Naphy (Manchester, forthcoming).
5. P. Blickte, ‘Einführung: Mit Gemeinden Suat machen’,Gemeinde und Staat im Alten Europa, ed. idem (Munich, forthcoming); idem.Landschaften im alten Reich(Munich, 1973), pp. 25–59; M. Braddick, ‘State formation and social change in early modern England: a problem stated and approaches suggested’,Social History16(1991), pp. 1–17.