1. The Renaissance Introduction to the Literary Period
Feature Menu
Fast Facts
Key Concept: The Beginnings of Tudor Rule
Key Concept: The Protestant Reformation
Key Concept: England’s Greatest Monarch
Your Turn

2. The Renaissance Fast Facts
Historical Highlights
The Protestant Reformation begins in England in 1534, when King Henry VIII rejects the authority of the pope in Rome and declares himself head of the English Church.
In 1553, Mary Tudor becomes queen and restores the pope’s power in England.
Elizabeth I assumes the throne in 1558 and reestablishes the Church of England.
In 1588, the Royal Navy defeats the Spanish Armada.

3. The Renaissance Fast Facts
Literary Highlights
Humanists use Latin and Greek classics along with the Bible to answer fundamental questions about life.
In 1611, the King James Bible is published.
Dramas, including the plays of William Shakespeare, are the greatest literary achievement of the English Renaissance.
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4. Key Concept: The Beginnings of Tudor Rule
History of the Times
Henry Tudor defeats the Yorkist king Richard III and establishes the Tudor dynasty, which rules for 118 years.
Henry marries Elizabeth of York to secure his position, and acts to ensure peace with foreign powers.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

14. Key Concept: The Protestant Reformation
Annulment
An annulment cancels or puts an end to a marriage. The children of an annulled couple become illegitimate.
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.

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

16. Key Concept: The Protestant Reformation
Protestant Reformation after 1534
Henry closes monasteries.
He seizes the Catholic Church’s assets and sells Church land.
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

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

18. 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.

19. Key Concept: The Protestant Reformation
Comprehension Check
Why was Henry VIII’s decision to overthrow the Church so widely embraced?
What did he gain from breaking with Rome?
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20. Key Concept: England’s Greatest Monarch
History of the Times
Elizabeth I inherits kingdom after deaths of her brother Edward and sister Mary.
England under “Bloody” Mary was torn by religious feuds after she restored power to Catholics and executed Protestants.
Elizabeth’s first task was to restore law and order and reestablish Church of England.
The “Virgin Queen” foiled several murder plots by her cousin Mary, Queen of Scots.
Queen Elizabeth’s defeat of the Spanish Armada was one of her finest hours.

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

22. 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

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

24. Key Concept: England’s Greatest Monarch
1588
Philip of Spain sends the Spanish Armada, a vast fleet of warships, to invade England.
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

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

26. Key Concept: England’s Greatest Monarch
Literature of the Times
Armada’s defeat is a catalyst for Renaissance writers, who celebrate Elizabeth I as a symbol of peace, prosperity, and security.
Poetry, drama, religious allegory, and philosophical works flourish in this golden age.
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.

27. Key Concept: England’s Greatest Monarch
Comprehension Check
Describe the historical and literary impact of the defeat of the Spanish Armada.
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28. The Renaissance Introduction to the Literary Period
Your Turn
Copy the Academic Vocabulary list into a notebook. Try to use the words as you outline the important events of the period, and as you answer the questions about the literature in the unit.
established controversies
ensure contradiction
widespread
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29. The End