The Renaissance

Rebirth Renaissance comes from the French term meaning “rebirth” because of the renewed interest in classical learning that occurred at this time. People became more inquisitive and creative when they began reading the works of the ancient Greeks and Romans. Historians indicate that the Renaissance began around 1485, but there is much overlap between the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of the Renaissance. Historians chose the year 1485 because that is when the Tudor monarchy began (when King Henry VII was crowned).

1. Why are historical periods so inexact, and why are they generally unknown as periods or eras to the people who live during them? A.They are too complex to be understood by most people B.They are created later by historians to describe general trends rather than precise beginnings and endings C.They come and go with such suddenness that people usually cannot distinguish what “historical period” they live in D.They are completely artificial constructs and have no basis in documented reality

2. Which of the following statements best characterizes the intellectual environment of the Renaissance? A.Most people could not read, in part because they could not gain access to books. B.Most Europeans were highly sensitive to the achievements of people from other cultures, particularly the Orient. C.As people became interested in the writings of ancient Greece and Rome, they became more inquisitive and creative. D.Through their superior knowledge, scholars established power over the majority of the people.

Humanism Erasmus of Rotterdam and Sir Thomas More were the two founders of Humanism. It is an intellectual movement which combines the wisdom of the classics with that of the Bible, emphasizing the ideals of wisdom and virtue. They believed that virtue, not possessions, success or fame, was the only true source of happiness. The study of history, literature and philosophy became known collectively as “the humanities”.

Gutenberg’s Printing Press Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press in Mainz, Germany around This revolutionized learning because books became much cheaper and more accessible. Ideas began to spread much more quickly. The bible was the first book that Gutenberg printed.

3. Why was the bible the first book that Gutenberg printed? A.In Germany it was the only book that people were allowed to read. B.King Henry VII had ordered that every home possess a copy of the bible. C.He wanted to help spread Humanism. D.As the vast majority of Europeans were Christian, this was the most widely read and respected book of the time.

The Reformation & Martin Luther In England, conflicts with the Catholic church were ongoing, and many there were frustrated with the corruption and hypocrisy of the papacy. By the 1530’s a break from the church finally occurred. This movement, called the Reformation, was led by a former monk named Martin Luther.

The Reformation, cont. Martin Luther started a new kind of Christianity. It was based solely on direct biblical scripture, not interpretation. When Henry VIII converted, this religion became known as the Church of England. The people of England were forced to convert. Many were still dissatisfied because they felt that the Church of England was merely a copy of Catholicism and was not reformed enough.

4. How did the Monk Martin Luther contribute to the beginning of the Reformation? A.He renewed people’s devotion to studying and following the words of the pope. B.He taught that other religions were as valid as Christianity. C.He developed a personal form of Christianity which was not based on interpretation. D.He ridiculed ancient habits and traditions, such as superstitiousness

Henry VIII: A Renaissance Man Famous for converting England from Catholicism to the Church of England and for having had six wives. His multiple marriages were mostly caused by his strong desire to produce a male heir with whom the throne of England could be entrusted He was considered the quintessential “Renaissance Man” because he was literary, musical, athletic, and scholarly. He was succeeded by his nine year old son, Edward in 1547.

Queen Elizabeth I Daughter of Henry VIII and his second wife, Anne Boleyn (whom he had executed) She took the throne after her half-brother Edward and her half-sister Mary died. Queen Elizabeth was often called “The Virgin Queen” because she never married. She sent the Royal Navy to destroy the Spanish Armada in 1588 (led by the King Philip of Spain, her former brother-in- law), securing England’s independence from the Catholic countries of the Mediterranean. The 44 years that she ruled became known as “Elizabethan Era”, a time of peace, prosperity and intellectual growth in England.

5. What proved to be ironic about Henry VIII’s urgent desire for a male heir to take over the throne? A. He never produced a male heir. B.His multiple marriages and affairs led his son Edward to be declared illegitimate and denied the throne. C.His son was a terrible and ruthless King. D.His daughter, Elizabeth, proved to be a far more successful ruler than his son.

William Shakespeare A poet, actor and playwright born in Stratford-upon-Avon in He is most famous for having written 38 plays and 154 sonnets. He founded an acting troupe called the Lord Chamberlain's Men, which built the Globe Theater in London. Queen Elizabeth was a fan of his plays and he was invited to perform at the palace on several occasions.

The End of an Era Queen Elizabeth was followed by King James I and then shortly thereafter by Charles II. Neither king was as popular nor as successful as the Queen. As England’s political climate changed, so did its intellectual and religious attitudes. Scientific truths began to challenge religious beliefs, and this increasing interest in secular, rather than religious, values marked the end of the Renaissance.

Written Response How might the invention of the printing press have helped to instigate the Reformation? Make inferences based on the facts that you wrote down about Gutenberg’s printing press and the Reformation. Write a 4-5 sentence response, including specific details from your notes.