Example history dissertation topic 14:

An analysis of the problems of inflation in the latter years of the reign of Philip II and the nature of his inheritance to his son

Philip II is a fascinating historical figure. Within the UK however, his appearances within taught history lessons tend to revolve around his marriage to Mary Tudor, his attempted wooing of her half-sister princess Elizabeth and the fate of the Spanish Armada. Philip II was, however, much more than that. As ruler of Spain he presided over a vast (if unruly) Empire and was also responsible for the building of the Escorial in Spain. Within his internal government he was a figure devoted to the tiniest of details. This dissertation looks at an internal aspect of his reign within Spain: the problem of inflation in his later years and the effects that it had upon his kingdom. This is a dissertation that does not require a working knowledge of Spanish but will involve substantial use of secondary data as well as a need to undertake some palaeography in accessing English diplomatic documents of the era.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Hilliam, D. (2005) Philip II: King of Spain and leader of the Counter-Reformation. New York: Rosen.
• Parker, G. (2002) Philip II. Chicago: Open Court Publishing.