The Renaissance1485–1660

DefinitionFrench for “rebirth,” the Renaissance was a revival of art, literature, and learning in Europe that began in Italy in the 14th century

Characteristics:•People read ancient Greek and Roman classics

•A humanist philosophy spread, focusing on life on earth as well as in eternity

• The arts and sciences flowered

• A sense of curiosity and creativity emerged

The Protestant Reformation

•Began with Martin Luther in Germany

•Luther believed that religion should be based on a personal

understanding of the Bible, not the authority of the Pope

•The English objected to the financial burden placed on them by the Church in Rome

King Henry VIII (reign, 1509–47)

•Split from the Catholic Church and declared himself head of the new COE (divorce and have a male heir).

•Wives: Catherine of Aragon (divorced), Anne Boelyn (beheaded), Jane Seymour (died), Anne of Cleves (divorced), Catherine Howard (beheaded), and Catherine Parr (survived)

•Executed humanist Thomas Moore, long-time friend and

advisor, who refused to recognize Henry as head of church

•Authorized the first English translation of the Bible•Created the Royal Navy, which secured England’s safety

Henry VIII’s Heirs

Edward IV (r. 1547–1553)•Jane Seymour•Crowned at nine•Died of tuberculosis at

fifteen

Mary Tudor (r. 1553–1558)•Catherine of Aragon •Restored Catholicism•Called “Bloody Mary” because of 300+ Protestant executions

• Married King Philip II

of Spain

Elizabeth I (reign, 1558–1603)

•Anne Boleyn•Brilliant and successful monarch•Restored the Church of England•Called “Virgin Queen” because she never married; turned

down numerous offers, including King Philip II of Spain

•Patron of the arts, especially theater

The Spanish Armada

In 1588 Catholic King Philip II of Spain attacked Protestant England (Elizabeth’s execution of Catholic Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots)•England’s Royal Navy destroyed the Spanish Armada (most feared fleet in the world)

•The victory ensured England’s independence from the

powerful Catholic countries of the Mediterranean•The English started writing as they never had before, and

Elizabeth, now a symbol of peace and prosperity, provided

the inspiration for scores of writers

After Elizabeth, A Decline in Leadership…

When Elizabeth I died, she was succeeded by her second cousin, James I (r. 1603–1625), the king of Scotland:

•Loved literature and drama: patron of Shakespeare,

sponsored a new translation of the Bible•His expensive dress and court life offended religious and thrifty Englishmen

•Charles’s troubles with Parliament:•he wanted to raise taxes •they did not agree with his foreign policy •this sparked the English Civil Wars (1642–1651) that ended with:

The dissolution of the monarchy The beheading of Charles I The flight of Charles II, his son and heir, to France

James I was followed by his son, Charles I (r. 1625–1649):

Puritans (1649–1660)

•The Puritans ruled under the strict control of Oliver Cromwell, a shrewd leader who led England after King Charles’s beheading.

•Puritans closed down most theaters from 1649 to 1660 and censorship of the arts was heavily enforced

•When Cromwell died in 1658, exiled King Charles II returned from France in 1660.

Vocabulary WordsMetaphor

Sonnet

Quatrain

Petrarchan Sonnet

Spenserian Sonnet

Paradox

Shakespearean Sonnet

Couplet

Turn

Conceit

Carpe diem

Timeline

1558: Elizabeth Icrowned

1517: Martin Luther

begins Protestant Reformation

1588: English navy

defeats Spanish Armada

1649: Charles I executed; English monarchy

suspended

1485 1660

1509:Henry VIII crowned

c. 1533:Henry VIII splits

Church of England from

Rome

1564: Shakespeare

born

1620: Mayflower lands

at Plymouth Rock