The Renaissance Introduction to the Literary Period Key Concept: The Beginnings of Tudor Rule Key Concept: The Protestant Reformation Key Concept: England’s Greatest Monarch Feature Menu

History of the Times Henry marries Elizabeth of York to secure his position, and acts to ensure peace with foreign powers. Henry Tudor defeats the Yorkist king Richard III and establishes the Tudor dynasty, which rules for 118 years. Key Concept: The Beginnings of Tudor Rule

History of the Times expanding commerce By the time of Henry VII’s death in 1509, England is prosperous and fairly united, the throne protected. Henry accomplished this by Key Concept: The Beginnings of Tudor Rule supporting the English merchant class reducing the power of the nobles awarding offices to loyal men from the middle class

The printing press is introduced in England.printing press Literature of the Times The fifteenth century was a key period for literacy in England. Humanism becomes a major influence on English literature.Humanism Key Concept: The Beginnings of Tudor Rule

around 1455 The printing press is invented by Johannes Gutenberg. William Caxton sets up a press in England. in 1476 Books become widely available throughout western Europe. by 1500 The Printing Press Key Concept: The Beginnings of Tudor Rule

Humanism—an intellectual movement that greatly influenced Renaissance thinkers, writers, and artists. studied the Bible and the classics to explore questions such as “What is a good life?” revived old Greek and Latin classics The humanists made history, literature, and philosophy popular again Key Concept: The Beginnings of Tudor Rule

English lawyer Two Friends—Two Humanists traveled throughout Europe Dutch monk Desiderius ErasmusSir Thomas More taught Greek wrote Utopia held important offices beheaded by order of Henry VIII in 1535 Both men wrote in Latin; loved life, laughter, and classical learning; were dedicated to the church. Key Concept: The Beginnings of Tudor Rule

With no son after 24 years of marriage, Henry appeals to pope to annul the marriage.annul History of the Times Like his father, Henry VIII knows a male heir is essential to securing the throne. Henry VIII, most famous for his six wives, reigns from 1509 to 1547.Henry VIII Key Concept: The Protestant Reformation Pope Clement’s denial prompts Henry to reform the Catholic Church in England. reform Henry VIII creates Church of England and Royal Navy, increasing England’s power.

Henry VIII (reigned 1509—1547) “Renaissance man”—poet, musician, athlete, hunter married six wives created Royal Navy, ending foreign invasion and spreading England’s power, language, and literature around globe supported humanism coarse, arrogant in old age Key Concept: The Protestant Reformation desperate for male heir

1533 Pope refuses Henry VIII’s request for annulmentannulment Henry breaks from Rome and appoints new archbishop of Canterbury, who grants annulment 1534 Henry declares himself head of the Church of England Key Concept: The Protestant Reformation

Divorce was not allowed, so Henry was looking for a loophole. He asked Pope Clement VII to annul his marriage, that is, declare that he was not properly married to Catherine of Aragon. Annulment An annulment cancels or puts an end to a marriage. The children of an annulled couple become illegitimate. Key Concept: The Protestant Reformation

The Reformation in Europe reformers reject authority of pope and Italian churchmen In various countries Martin Luther founds new kind of Christianity, based on personal understanding of Bible In Germany strong national identity makes English people resent financial burdens imposed by Vatican In England Key Concept: The Protestant Reformation

He seizes the Catholic Church’s assets and sells Church land. Protestant Reformation after 1534 Henry closes monasteries. Protestantism begins in England. Some people want to get rid of “popish” things (bishops, prayer book, priests’ vestments) make religion solely a matter between the individual and God Key Concept: The Protestant Reformation

Henry VIII supports development of English literature, authorizes translation of Bible into English. Literature of the Times English writers set about translating Greek and Roman classics into English. The Renaissance that started in Italy in the 14 th century begins to flourish in England.Renaissance Key Concept: The Protestant Reformation

Renaissance Learning The Renaissance encouraged individual curiosity and creativity. Bold thoughts, beautiful poetry, and powerful dramatic works emerged. The instruments shown in this painting suggest the ambassadors have mastered astronomy, mathematics, and music. The Ambassadors (1533) by Hans Holbein the Younger. Oil on canvas. Key Concept: The Protestant Reformation

The “Virgin Queen” foiled several murder plots by her cousin Mary, Queen of Scots.Queen of Scots Elizabeth’s first task was to restore law and order and reestablish Church of England.Elizabeth History of the Times England under “Bloody” Mary was torn by religious feuds after she restored power to Catholics and executed Protestants. Elizabeth I inherits kingdom after deaths of her brother Edward and sister Mary.deaths Queen Elizabeth’s defeat of the Spanish Armada was one of her finest hours. Armada Key Concept: England’s Greatest Monarch

sickly “boy king” rules in name only dies at age 15 “Bloody Mary” restores pope’s power hunts down and executes Protestants Heirs of Henry VIII Edward VI (r. 1547–1553) Mary Tudor (r. 1553–1558) Elizabeth I (r. 1558–1603) “The Virgin Queen” brilliant, successful monarch Key Concept: England’s Greatest Monarch

Elizabeth I—literary connoisseur; beloved symbol of peace, security, prosperity likely most brilliant, successful British monarch excommunicated after rejecting pope’s authority Parliament begs her to marry; she refuses Rebuffs proposal from Philip of Spain; unleashes navy on his Spanish Armada Key Concept: England’s Greatest Monarch

Mary, Queen of Scots heir to English throne, daughter of James V engineers several plots to kill Elizabeth a devout Catholic, she’s ousted from throne in Protestant Scotland After enduring Mary’s plots for twenty years, Elizabeth sends her to the chopping block for treason. In 1587 Key Concept: England’s Greatest Monarch

Philip of Spain sends the Spanish Armada, a vast fleet of warships, to invade England.Spanish Armada 1588 England’s smaller ships defeat Armada with help from storms in Irish Sea Spain might have conquered Britain Victory assures England’s independence from Catholic countries of the Mediterranean Key Concept: England’s Greatest Monarch

England set eight small frigates, or warships, ablaze and sailed them into the Armada. The Spanish Armada was the largest fleet of ships ever assembled. Heavy winds wrecked the Spanish ships off the stormy coast of Ireland. Key Concept: England’s Greatest Monarch Spanish Armada

Poetry, drama, religious allegory, and philosophical works flourish in this golden age. Armada’s defeat is a catalyst for Renaissance writers, who celebrate Elizabeth I as a symbol of peace, prosperity, and security. Literature of the Times Elizabeth’s court becomes a center of literary culture for gifted writers. The plays of William Shakespeare and his contemporaries are created for the general public, rather than aristocratic theater patrons. Key Concept: England’s Greatest Monarch