The English Renaissance
1485-1660
I made a quick unit preview for the Renaissance. Just kidding. That's not me. Or is it?
Pay attention to the video and note key points.
In addition to his ruggedly good looks, Mr. Osborne highlights many of the characteristics we will be discussing.
Also, just to clear the air, I don't look that much like Mr. Osborne... or this guy (who is probably equally upset about the dissing on Canada in the previous video):
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Okay, maybe a little.
Now, let's get down to business.
Renaissance
Renaissance is a French word that literally means rebirth.
It marked a shift from the Medieval worldview focused on religion and the afterlife to one emphasizing life on Earth.
People began to rediscover Europe's pre-Christian past, utilizing the arts and philosophies of ancient Greece and Rome.
As Mr. Osborne mentioned, however, the English were a little late to the party when it came Renaissance-ing.
Here is Crash Course video discussing the northern Renaissance:
Renaissance Man
"The ideal 'Renaissance Man' was a many-faceted individual who cultivated his innate talents to the fullest" (textbook 276).
So who were some Renaissance Men from the Italian and English Renaissances?
Monarchs: A New Dynasty
Henry VII
-Henry Tudor killed Richard III to take the throne as Henry VII.
-He was shrewd and successful, building up England's claims in "the New World"
-He arranged for his eldest son, Arthur, to marry Catherine of Aragon, daughter of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain.
-Arthur died unexpectedly, and the Pope issued a special dispensation allowing Henry to marry Catherine of Aragon. This young man became Henry VIII.
Henry VIII
(r. 1509-1547)
Arguably the most famous King Henry in England, Henry VIII was something of a Renaissance Man, a skilled poet, athlete, and musician. However, he is most famous for having his wives murdered. Well, 2/6, anyway.
Who were his wives and what happened to them?
Well, there you have it. King Henry VIII jumped on board to the Protestant Reformation sweeping Europe. He broke ties with the Roman Catholic Church and formed the Church of England (Anglican) to get a divorce.
So many wives with differing religions, of course, led to tensions among the siblings and, hence, monarchs.
Edward VI
(r. 1547-1553)
After beheading Anne Boleyn for alleged adultery (but really her failure to produce a male heir), Henry VIII finally had a son with his third wife, Jane Seymour: Edward.
Edward took the throne when Henry VIII died in 1547, at the age of 9, and reigned until his own death 6 years later.
Queen Mary
(r. 1553-1558)
-Henry VIII's daughter with Catherine took the throne after Edward's death.
-She attempted to reintroduce Catholicism to England and persecuted protestants, earning her the nickname Bloody Mary.
Queen Elizabeth I
(r. 1558-1603)
-England became prosperous and prestigious under Elizabeth's reign.
-She was able to mediate religious tensions.
-Elizabeth used the prospect of marriage to get what she wanted.
-She quelled detractors about her ability to lead militarily when England defeated the Spanish Armada.
-Elizabeth reluctantly executed her cousin Mary Stuart, Roman Catholic queen of Scotland, in 1587. Here is a song about Mary, Queen of Scots:
-Since she never married, she passed the crown to her cousin James, king of Scotland, who took the throne as James I
House of Stuart
-James I (r. 1603-1625) commissioned King James Bible
-Protestants expected him to be more Protestant; Catholics expected him to be more Catholic
-Charles I became king in 1625; he dismissed Parliament in 1629
-In 1637, Charles tried to introduce Anglican prayers in Scotland's Presbyterian churches, an unpopular move.
-He was then forced to reconvene Parliament; many of his powers were stripped, and England went to civil war.
-The Puritans defeated the Royalists in 1645, and Charles I was executed.
-General Oliver Cromwell took charge.
-Life under the Puritans wasn't any better, and England restored the monarchy in 1660, inviting Charles II to return from exile.
Recap
(and why the Renaissance might not have really happened):
Crash Course
To truly understand the religious tensions gripping Europe at the time (all within the same religion, of course), we must comprehend the motivators that led the PROTESTants to, well, protest.
And commerce:
Shake(speare)
it Off
