Wow, you're taking this seriously...
While I pride myself in my research, I think getting a degree in English Literature for an RP is going a bit too far. So my advice, skip it, read Wikipedia, and generally just fudge it because, remember, this is a steampunk RP so we will have zeppelins and slightly more advanced technology. Also, external combustion engines. And yeah, as long as you don't mention anything wildly impossible with regards to English history, like Queen Bess being the current monarch, I'm fine with that.
Still, gotta give respect to the level of research you're putting into this.