The Renaissance

1485-1660

The Renaissanc

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“A Flourish of Genius”

A French word meaning “rebirth” Starts in Italy Renewal of the human spirit - new

energy, curiosity, and creativity Renewed interest in classical

learning

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“Renaissance”

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Extraordinary PeopleLeonardo da VinciMichelangeloChristopher ColumbusGalileoShakespeare

4Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel

Intellectual movement that focuses on human values and concerns

“What is a human being?”“What is a good life?”“How do I lead a good life?”

Sought to harmonize these two great sources of wisdom: the Bible and the classics.

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Humanism:

Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press in 1439.

Transformed the way information was exchanged.

First book printed was an immense Latin Bible in Germany around 1455.

Printing press reached England in 1476.6

The New Technology: A Flood of Print

England breaks away from the church

Church needed reformPope controlled all of EuropeIgnorance and idleness of monksLoose living and personal wealth of priests and

bishops

Henry VIII wanted to get rid of his wife of 24 years (Catherine)Lost five babies and had only one girl (no heir)Another younger woman Henry wanted – Ann

Boleyn7

The Reformation

Pope refuses Henry a divorce in 1533

Henry appoints a new archbishop of Canterbury , who declares Henry’s marriage to Catherine invalid.

In 1533, Henry breaks away from the Catholic church by declaring himself head of the new English church.Beginning of Protestantism

Sir Thomas More – one of Henry’s subjects who remained loyal to the pope. Henry had him beheaded.

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The Reformation

In all Henry VIII had six wives.Divorced, beheaded, died,Divorced, beheaded, survived

Had 3 childrenMary – daughter of the Spanish

princess, Catherine of AragonElizabeth – daughter of Anne BoleynEdward – son of Jane Seymour, a

noblewoman.9

Henry VIII

Edward Became king at the age of 9Ruled for only 6 years and died of Tuberculosis

Mary“Bloody Mary”Ruled for 5 yearsStrong-willed Catholic (Spanish)Restored the Pope’s power in EnglandBurned about 300 of her subjects at the stakeDied childless of a fever

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Continued…

“The Virgin Queen”Knew that her strength lay in her

independenceRestored law and orderRejected the Pope’s authority and restored

the Church of England againFirmly established a religious and national

identity People loved her; symbol of peace, security,

and prosperityInspiration for literature – even wrote herselfEnglish started writing as never before 11

Queen Elizabeth (1558 – 1603)

Survived many plots against her lifeMary Stuart (her cousin), Queen of ScotsHad her beheaded after 20 years.

Establishes the Royal NavyDefeats the Spanish Armada in 1588.

Huge turning point for England as a European power

Elizabeth dies childless in 1603 of blood poisoning at the age of 70.

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Queen Elizabeth (1558 – 1603)

James VI of Scotland, Elizabeth’s cousin (son of Mary who Elizabeth killed), succeeds to the throne.Reins from 1603 – 1625Tried hard, but just wasn’t Elizabeth

Charles I (son of James VI) Reined from 1625-1649Turned out to be even worse than his fatherHis subjects had him beheaded in 1649.

Renaissance is ending…. Scientific truths were soon to challenge long-accepted religious beliefs

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End of the Renaissance