By May 1727, when he had been resident in England for about a year, Voltaire had determined to present prospective English readers of "La Henriade", due to be published in a new and splendid edition, with a dual introduction: the "Essay on epic poetry" would provide the literary framework and the "Essay on the Civil Wars of France" the historical background. The latter work is not merely the small beginning of an immense output of historical writing; it is the first time that Voltaire writes for a reading public in prose on matters political and religious. Voltaire saw these two essays as one work, designed to promote interest in "La Henriade".