The English Renaissance pg 276

1485-1660“Rebirth”

• Began in in 14th century Italy

• Began in England after the War of the Roses, Henry VII

The English Renaissance

• Medieval period focused on religion and the after life

• Renaissance stressed humanity on earth

• Arts, literature, beauty in nature, human impulses, a new mastery over the world

• Questioned timeworn truths (flatlanders)

• Challenged authority

The English Renaissance

Renaissance Man

• A many-faceted person who cultivated his innate talents to the fullest

Thirst for Knowledge

• Great burst of exploration – culminates in Columbus’ arrival in New World in 1492

• Compass developed

• Advances in field of astronomy

• Growing sense of nationalism

• Protestant reformation

The English Renaissance

• Henry VII son (Arthur) married Catherine of Aragon, daughter of King Ferdinand of Spain, England’s greatest new World rival

• Arthur died, Pope allowed Arthur’s younger brother (Henry VIII) to marry Catherine

• This would prove to be a problem

The English Renaissance

Henry VIII

• Succeeded his father in 1509

• A true Renaissance prince

• Skilled athlete, poet, musician…

• Asked the church for permission to divorce Catherine after 18 yrs and only one female child--Mary

HENRY VIII

• The Pope refused Henry’s request for a divorce

• Henry broke with Rome in 1534, declared himself head of the Church of England or Anglican Church

• Henry VIII married Anne Boleyn, she produced a daughter—Elizabeth

• Anne was later executed for adultery

Queen Mary

• Restored Pope, Catholicism

• Married Philip of Spain

• Executed approx. 300 protestants

• These executions are why she’s known as “Bloody Mary”

The Elizabethan Era

• The unwanted daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn

• Strong, clever, educated in Greek & Latin, patron of the arts

• Re-established monarchy’s position over Anglican Church, restored Book of Common Prayer

• Believed in religious tolerance, lowered taxes, in favor of public education

Queen Elizabeth I

• Never married—”The Virgin Queen”

• She was the inspiration for Spenser’s “The Faerie Queene”

• Supported Sir Walter Raleigh

-introduced tobacco and potatoes

-Tried for treason, imprisoned in Tower of London

-finally executed in 1618

Spanish Armada--1588

• Spain refused to recognize England’s claim to America—sent 130 ships

• They claimed English privateers were plundering Spanish ships

• 8-day battle aided by a storm; England became known as a great sea power

King James I

• Did NOT believe in religious tolerance; persecuted Puritans

• 1604—King James I appointed scholars to create a new translation of the Bible, promoted the use of English language (King James Version)

The English Renaissance

• Following Queen Eliz I, came King James

• 1605—The Gunpowder Plot to blow up Parliament—Guy Fawkes Day (Nov 5 celebrate)

• 1606—Shakespeare's “Macbeth” produced

The English Renaissance

• 1629 Charles I dismissed Parliament for 11 years

• Thousands migrated to N. America, mostly Puritans

• Long Parliament

Evolution of Poetry

• Lyric poetry was favorite

• Sonnet perfected; sonnet cycles became very popular

• Edmund Spenser wrote The Faerie Queene (epic, intricate verse w/ rich imagery)