Written during his imprisonment in the Tower of London, the History of the World is Sir Walter Raleigh's most important prose work. The book, originally intended as a multivolume project, covers the creation of the world to 146BC and aims to show history as a moral exercise. Initially, the work was intended to serve as an educational tool for Henry, Prince of Wales (1594-1612) and includes numerous references to warfare, law and kingship. Although Raleigh was imprisoned for treason, the book, due to its association with the Prince was entered on the Stationer's list of approved books in 1611 but following Henry's death in 1612, Raleigh was forced to bring the project to conclusion. The work, consisting of five books nearing one million words in total, was eventually published in 1614.

The cynical nature of the work, and the contempt to which Raleigh holds monarchs throughout history brought the book to the attention of James I and the Archbishop of Canterbury, George Abbot, who immediately demanded copies to be seized and publication banned. These actions only served to increase demand and the book was reissued in 1617, with numerous reprints continuing throughout the seventeenth century.

The volume held by the Royal Library is a copy of the 1614 edition and was acquired by Queen Victoria from the library of the author and clergyman George Frederick Nott (1767-1841).