Investment in English Overseas Enterprise, 1575-1630 .

This article details the investment in English overseas enterprises from 1575 to 1630. It focuses on the activities of the two most popular enterprises, the East India Co. and the Virginia Co. The following phenomena show the movement of overseas investment: the magnitude of the interest aroused by overseas ventures and the high level of interest among non-merchants. It also describes the participation of the gentry in the overseas activity by showing the proportion of their contribution not only to personnel but also to investment. Finally, the article discusses the differences between merchant and gentry investors.