Transcript The English Renaissance

Notes – Mrs. Williams
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Renaissance:
The revival of art and literature under the
influence of classical models in the 14th–16th
centuries. (Remember …the Crusades brought
back a greater exposure to knowledge …both
classic and new…this helps to start the
Renaissance.)
The culture and style of art and architecture
developed during this era.
A rebirth or revival
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A new technology, printing, made books widely
available. The growth of KNOWLEDGE and
EDUCATION takes off! WOOHOOOOO!!
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People expanded their worlds by reading
classical Greek and Roman writers rather than
only religious writings that promoted
Christian doctrine.
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Humanism spread, focusing attention on
human life here and now, as well as on eternal
life. They looked for new answers to the
questions “What is a human being?” and “What
is a good life?”
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A growing merchant class, rich with wealth
plundered from the Americas, began to
challenge the power of the bishops and the
pope. This will ultimately lead to religious
reform…religious rebellion…and groups leaving
ENGLAND to go to AMERICA to pursue
freedom of religion.
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The Reformation, or the split from the
Catholic church, begins to spread widely
after a German monk, Martin Luther,
preaches a new kind of Christianity, based not
on what the pope said, but on a personal
understanding of the Bible.
(This was possible because of the increased
level of personal education inspired by the
Renaissance!)
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The spread of scholarly Latin throughout
Europe made possible the sharing of ideas.
French, German, English, etc…all could
understand Latin.
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Henry VII (7th): inherited a country poor from
too much civil war and fighting – works hard
to restore law and order and rebuilds the
treasury.
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Henry VIII (8th) – known as a true
“RENAISSANCE MAN” – someone who is
knowledgeable in a wide variety of pursuits
and topics – very educated in many fields –
athletic – competent musician, etc… a
Renaissance Man is a man (or woman) of broad
talents and abilities – brought about by
personal study
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Henry VIII: continued
Henry VIII was extremely spoiled, handsome,
athletic…he got EVERYTHING he
wanted…except a healthy SON.
In his quest to get a son…he married…a lot…
he had six wives – a famous rhyme about his
wives goes …Divorced, beheaded, died,
divorced, beheaded, survived.
The Showtime hit series THE TUDORS –
followed the adventures of this notorious king
and womanizer.
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Children of Henry VIII:
Daughter – Mary – becomes known as Bloody Mary
due to her persecution of protestant christians
 Daughter – Elizabeth I – becomes one of the greatest
rulers of Great Britain – known as the Virgin Queen
 Son – Edward VI (6th) – becomes KING at the age of
9 – but dies by the age of 15…most likely from
tuburculosis
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 Wanted to keep the country protestant – so he named
his cousin JANE GREY as queen – she is beheaded after
9 days – and Mary takes the throne – and attempts to
return the nation to the catholic church – and earns the
name Bloody Mary.
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Mary I – died after five year reign – Catholic
supporter – killed hundreds of protestants –
thus deserving the title Bloody Mary
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Eliabeth I – AMAZING QUEEN
Very Smart and highly educated
Ends religious turmoil through a policy of
compromise
Known as the “Virgin Queen” – this was to allow
her to remain unmarried and in sole control of her
country – as well as to give the Catholics a figure
to revere and compare to the “Virgin Mary” …the
female head of their religion.
Died in 1603 leaving the throne to her cousin James
– King of Scotland
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James VI (6th) of Scotland (Elizabeth’s Cousin…she
had his mother – Mary, Queen of Scots, executed
by the way…) becomes JAMES I of England – he is
best known for commissioning an English version
of the Bible known as The King James Version.
His reign ends the Tudor Dynasty and brings in
The Stuarts
Strong supporter of the arts – fairly superstitious
Sonsor’s Englands first American Colony –
Jamestown, Virginia