The RenaissanceThe Renaissance

1485-16601485-1660

The Spirit of RebirthThe Spirit of RebirthRenaissance – a French Renaissance – a French

word meaning “rebirth”word meaning “rebirth”Renewed interest in Renewed interest in

classical learning, the classical learning, the writings of ancient writings of ancient Greece and RomeGreece and Rome

A renewal of the A renewal of the human spirit, of human spirit, of curiosity and creativitycuriosity and creativity

A Flourish of GeniusA Flourish of Genius Began in ItalyBegan in Italy Leonardo da Vinci, Leonardo da Vinci,

Michelangelo, Michelangelo, Christopher Columbus, Christopher Columbus, Galileo, etc.Galileo, etc.

Catholic Church was Catholic Church was very rich and very rich and powerful, even in powerful, even in political affairspolitical affairs

Optimistic view of Optimistic view of humanity was humanity was expressed by many expressed by many Renaissance artistsRenaissance artists

HumanismHumanismTried to answer Tried to answer

questions like “What is questions like “What is a good life?” and “How a good life?” and “How do I lead a good life?”do I lead a good life?”

Sought to harmonize Sought to harmonize the Bible and the the Bible and the classics, using the classics, using the classics to strength classics to strength (not discredit) (not discredit) ChristianityChristianity

The New TechnologyThe New TechnologyGutenberg invented Gutenberg invented

the printing pressthe printing pressBefore the printing Before the printing

press, books were press, books were written out by hand written out by hand (difficult process, (difficult process, expensive to expensive to purchase, and few purchase, and few books were available)books were available)

The ReformationThe ReformationRejected the authority of the pope and Rejected the authority of the pope and

the Italian churchmenthe Italian churchmenFeelings of patriotism and national Feelings of patriotism and national

identity made the English resent the identity made the English resent the financial burdens placed on them by financial burdens placed on them by the Vaticanthe Vatican

Martin Luther – founded a new kind of Martin Luther – founded a new kind of Christianity, based on a personal Christianity, based on a personal understanding of the Bible instead of understanding of the Bible instead of on what the pope saidon what the pope said

King Versus PopeKing Versus Pope King Henry VIII asked for a divorce from King Henry VIII asked for a divorce from

his wife of 24-years his wife of 24-years theoretical reason – she had previously been theoretical reason – she had previously been

married to his brothermarried to his brother real reasons – she was too old to give him a real reasons – she was too old to give him a

male heir and he wished to marry Anne Boleynmale heir and he wished to marry Anne Boleyn Pope refused because he was controlled Pope refused because he was controlled

by the queen’s nephew.by the queen’s nephew. Henry VIII appointed a new archbishop and Henry VIII appointed a new archbishop and

declared himself head of the English declared himself head of the English (Anglican) Church.(Anglican) Church.

The Protestant ReformationThe Protestant ReformationMany people were Many people were

dissatisfied with the dissatisfied with the new church because it new church because it wasn’t reformed wasn’t reformed enough – it was merely enough – it was merely a copy of Catholicism.a copy of Catholicism.

Some said that religion Some said that religion was solely a matter was solely a matter between the individual between the individual and Godand God

Henry VIIIHenry VIIIHad six wives:Had six wives:Divorced, beheaded, died Divorced, beheaded, died

divorced, beheaded, survived divorced, beheaded, survivedFooled around, but couldn’t tolerate Fooled around, but couldn’t tolerate

any suspicion of his wives’ fidelityany suspicion of his wives’ fidelityWas an important figure and deserves Was an important figure and deserves

the title of Renaissance manthe title of Renaissance manSurvived by three legitimate children Survived by three legitimate children

– Mary, Elizabeth, and Edward– Mary, Elizabeth, and Edward

The Boy King and Bloody The Boy King and Bloody MaryMary

At age 9, Edward began to rule in name At age 9, Edward began to rule in name only. Died of tuberculosis.only. Died of tuberculosis.

Mary was Catholic and determined to Mary was Catholic and determined to avenge the wrongs done to her mother.avenge the wrongs done to her mother.Restored the pope’s power in England and Restored the pope’s power in England and

ruthlessly hunted down Protestantsruthlessly hunted down ProtestantsBurned about 300 subjects at the stakeBurned about 300 subjects at the stakeMarried the king of Spain, a country Married the king of Spain, a country

England was beginning to fear and hateEngland was beginning to fear and hate

Elizabeth: The Virgin QueenElizabeth: The Virgin QueenOne of the most brilliant and One of the most brilliant and

successful monarchs in historysuccessful monarchs in historyReestablished the Church of England Reestablished the Church of England

and rejected the pope’s authorityand rejected the pope’s authorityResisted marriage and officially Resisted marriage and officially

remained “the Virgin Queen” because remained “the Virgin Queen” because her strength lay in her independence her strength lay in her independence and her ability to play one suitor off and her ability to play one suitor off another.another.

A True DaughterA True DaughterSurvived many plots Survived many plots

against her life, several against her life, several of which were initiated of which were initiated by her cousin, Mary by her cousin, Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots Stuart, Queen of Scots (heir to England’s (heir to England’s throne)throne)

Elizabeth (after 20 years Elizabeth (after 20 years of plots against her life) of plots against her life) had Mary beheadedhad Mary beheaded

The Spanish ArmadaThe Spanish Armada King Philip of Spain King Philip of Spain

used Mary’s execution used Mary’s execution as an excuse to invade as an excuse to invade England with the England with the Spanish ArmadaSpanish Armada

England’s Royal Navy England’s Royal Navy destroyed the Spanish destroyed the Spanish Armada, assuring Armada, assuring England’s England’s independence from independence from the Catholic countriesthe Catholic countries

A Dull Man Succeeds a Witty A Dull Man Succeeds a Witty WomanWoman

Elizabeth (childless) was Elizabeth (childless) was succeeded by James VI of succeeded by James VI of Scotland, aka James I of Scotland, aka James I of England (son of Mary England (son of Mary Stuart)Stuart)

He tried hard – patronized He tried hard – patronized Shakespeare, sponsored Shakespeare, sponsored a new translation of the a new translation of the Bible, and was a peaceful Bible, and was a peaceful ruler – but couldn’t follow ruler – but couldn’t follow in Elizabeth’s footsteps.in Elizabeth’s footsteps.

The Decline of the The Decline of the RenaissanceRenaissance

Charles I, who reigned after Charles I, who reigned after James I, was beheaded by James I, was beheaded by some of his subjectssome of his subjects

Parliament and Puritan Parliament and Puritan dictator Oliver Cromwell dictator Oliver Cromwell ruled for the next 11 yearsruled for the next 11 years

Scientific truths were soon Scientific truths were soon to challenge long-accepted to challenge long-accepted religious beliefs.religious beliefs.