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

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.

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. [End of Section]

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

Key Concept: The Renaissance Comprehension Check How did Henry Tudor increase the authority of the monarchy? [End of Section] 10

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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 Comprehension Check Why was Henry VIII’s decision to overthrow the Church so widely embraced? What did he gain from breaking with Rome? [End of Section] 19

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.

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

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 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.

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

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.

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.

Key Concept: England’s Greatest Monarch Comprehension Check Describe the historical and literary impact of the defeat of the Spanish Armada. [End of Section] 27

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 [End of Section] 28

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