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Emergence of humanism1400

What a piece of work is a man, how noble in reason, how infinite in faculties, in form and moving how express andadmirable, in action how like an angel, in apprehension how like a god! (Hamlet II ii)Glasgow university est`d1451

The appearance of universities throughout Europe brings Humanist thought into conflict with traditional Church teachings.End of the hundred years war1453

Territorial disputes with France come to an end; however, peace is soon to be shattered by dynastic conflicts at home that would be felt for centuries to come.THE WARS OF THE ROSES1455

The Houses of Lancaster and York compete for the crown, bringing a long period of death, division, and social turmoil to England.Winchester cathedral1460

The development of Gothic church architecture is a good example of the periods high-tech mentality: change because I want to.Edward iv (plantagenet)1461

Edward, a member of the House of York, reaches the throne through violence, allowing for a break in the war, at least formally. His reign would be long, but predictably tumultuous, and would really solve nothing.The birth of the publishing industry1474

William Caxton publishes the first book in English. The spread of printing, facilitated by Gutenbergs moveable type and the adoption of European vernacular languages produces a critical information explosion.The birth of modern science & technology1480

Modern R&D culture begins to take shape with a number of inventions and speculative (spectacular?) designs none more clearly ahead of its time* than da Vincis idea for a parachute.* N.B. the absence of a planeSpanish inquisition: reform and religious conflict1481

Confronted by a growing number of subversive movements, the Spanish church asks for and receives permission to conduct an inquest into matters of faith. This soon expands and becomes an instrument for combating the new heresy: Reformation.HENRY VII: emergence of a new england1485

The end of the Wars of the Roses finally comes with the arrival of Henry Tudor to the throne. His innovative reign marks not just a new dynasty, but also a new phase in Englands social-political development: the modern nation state. COLUMBUS LANDS IN aMERICA1492

Columbuss arrival in the Americas ignites a space race amongst Spains rivals...and opens a sad chapter in the history of the New Worlds aboriginal people.The last supper davinci1495

The great Renaissance art movement is driven by the Humanist respect both for realism and for humanity in its physical form.John cabot commissioned by henry vii1496

Route to india discovered by vasco da gama1498

Prince arthur marries catherine of aragon1501

In an attempt to forge a political alliance between England and the powerful kingdom of Aragon, Henry VII arranges for the marriage of his eldest son to Catherine. Sadly, Arthur would die the following year, touching off a series of events that would change history and affect the lives of all of Englands subjectsHENRY VIII: the growth of the monarchy1509

Arthurs place is taken by younger brother, Henry, who replaces him as both heir and fiance. By the end of the decade, Henry would be both a new king and a new husband. His tenure brings a mixture of success, violence, power, and division to England and its monarchy.Everyman (morality play) is performed1510

Unaware of the changes that Humanism and the return of classical knowledge would bring to European theatre, audiences are treated to such moralistic fare as Everyman.Copernicus commentariolus published1512

The Ptolomaic universe (officially held by the Church)is challenged by the Polish mathemetician.For his efforts in developing the heliocentric model, Copernicus is brought to trial.Martin Luther`s 95 theses and the protestant reformation1517

Like many of his time, Luther was disturbed by the abuses he saw in the Church; unlike them, he posted his criticisms in public. For this, he too was called to trial. He would later go on to translate the New Testament into German and marry a former nun.HENRY VIII: THE MARRIAGE CONTROVERSY1528

The failure of the couple to produce a son convinces Henry that a new wife is necessary. Ensuing events would bring Henry into conflict with Rome and many of his own subjects, and would leave his personal life largely in ruins.John knox leads calvinists in scotland1541

Various reform movements begin to build momentum throughout Europe. The emergence of Calvinism as a force in the north complicates Englands already chaotic religious situation.Coronation of edward vi1547

Edward, son of Henry and Jane Seymour, represents the stability his father sought. He is bright, personable, and (more critically) a male. However, it was not be. Edward would die at the age of 15 after less than 6 years as king - most as a figurehead only. bloody mary and the return of catholicism1553

Mary, Henrys eldest child and the daughter of Catherine, hates the Church of England on both a theological and personal level. Her attempts to return England to Rome elevate religious/political strife in the country and make her rather brief reign one of the most notoriousElizabeth i: england`s golden age1558

Coming out from under the threat of execution, Elizabeth ascends the throne at just 25. Her youth and appearance belies a powerful personality (perhaps inherited from her father) that would serve her and her country well over the next 44 years.Shakespeare`s early years1564

William is born into a comfortable, if unspectacular, village family. His rise from here to a life as a London man of letters has been cause for debate ever since.the modern english theatre1574

James Burbidge obtains a theatrical licence. He would later build a theatre and engage as an entrepreneur in the business of entertainment. His holdings eventually pass down to his son, Richard, who employed and then partnered with Shakespeare.Middle-class businessmen across Europe begin to see the stage as a viable product, fuelling an explosion of dramatic productionShakespeare arrives in the city of london1585

Not much is known about Shakespeares activities at this time. His motives, route, and initial plans have been the subject of a great deal of speculation. We do know, however, that within just five years of his arrival, Shakespeare would embark upon his career as a professional playwright. Shakespeare`s home stage1485

The Globe is designed with performance in mind - a true actors venue. Various textual clues suggest that this stage was clear in the authors mind during composition. Perhaps more important is the innovation it included: the ticket boothShakespeares plays: phase i1590-1600Henry VI (1590-92)Richard III (1592-93)Comedy of Errors (1592-93)Taming of the Shrew (1593-94)Romeo and Juliet (1594-95)A Midsummer Nights Dream (1595-96)The Merchant of Venice (1596-97)Henry IV (1597-98)Henry V (1598-99)Julius Caesar (1599-1600)As You Like It (1599-1600)Twelfth Night (1599-1600)

The spanish armada1492

The Armada remained historys largest invasionary force until D-Day in WWII. Its defeat - through a combination of better ship design, better seamanship, and better luck was the source of immense English pride.Plague closes the theatres1593/1603/1608

Shakespeare and his company experience the first of its plague-related closures. It is during this down time that he is believed to have composed many of the sonnets.The older elizabeth: power and succession1600

Elizabeths later years were marked by both great adulation and great anxiety. The Virgin Queen had failed her fathers most important test: she had produced no heir. Though at the height of their power in Europe, the English were again faced with a domestic crisis.Shakespeares plays: phase iI1600-1613Hamlet (1600-01)Alls Well That Ends Well (1602-03)Measure for Measure (1604-05)Othello (1604-05)King Lear (1605-06)Macbeth (1605-06)Anthony and Cleopatra (1606-07)Coriolanus (1607-08)Pericles (1608-09)The Winters Tale (1610-11)The Tempest (1611-1612)Henry VIII (1612-13)

James i: the crisis of the stuart dynasty1603

James Stuart (Elizabeths cousin and the son of Mary Queen of Scots) comes to power with few of his predecessors political skills. His apparent arrogance, foreignness, and Catholic leanings all work against him. The results would later be catastrophic.English treaties with spain and france1604

Englands apparently non-beneficial treaties with its rivals drives yet another wedge between James and his subjects. Though perhaps unwarranted, it seemed to confirm suspicions about his Catholicism.guy fawkes sentenced to death1606

James finds himself under attack from all sides. A group of disgruntled Catholics plot to blow up Parliament during the throne speech. They are foiled by the secret service and executed for treason.Champlain founds quebec1608

France is also active during this time. It focuses on expanding its holdings in the northern part of the continent, in what would eventually become Canada.KINGS MEN LEASE THE BLACKFRIARS THEATRE1608

Having experienced success at the Globe, the company opens a closed-in winter venue north of the Thames in London proper - theatre goers having won out over city council opposition. Shakespeare retires to his home in stratford1610

Shakespeare retires to his home town while still a relatively young man. His successes in London allow him to return to a large piece of property as a country gentleman. It also facilitates the awarding of a coat of arms to his family a goal his father had tried in vain to achieve.King james bible published1611

James I is generally more adept at producing books than sound policy. His work ranges from sports to witchcraft. The greatest of his accomplishments was the translation of scripture as the King James Version, a project he managed, but did not actively participate in.Galileo faces the inquisition1615

Galileos telescope allows him to see what Copernicus had only been able to theorize. The result is the same for both of these science pioneers.Death of william shakespeare1616

Mayflower sails for america1620

Puritan dissidents, fearing religious persecution, leave England for America. The arrival of the Pilgrims remains a significant moment in American history. Ironically, the Puritans would seize power at home less than 3 decades later.The first folio1623 (1632/1663/1686)

Recognizing the popularity of the plays, a pair of actors from the company edit and publish a quality collection. This version would become the standard for later editions.Charles i and the cavalier establishment1625

The Stuarts experience a growing division within the kingdom. The Royalist Cavaliers - a landed class - represent traditional, agricultural-based interests. They are aligned, too, with the Church of England, which saw the country from a similar perspective.Oliver cromwell & the puritan parliament1628

The Parliamentarian Roundheads have their powerbase in the cities, where a new, wealthy business class is emerging. The discontent over a shifting balance of authority, perhaps even more than theirPuritan beliefs, fuels armed revolt.The english civil wars1642-1649

The english commonwealth1642-1649

Established by a single-party faction within Parliament, the Commonwealth is essentially a theocratic dictatorship held together by the personal strength of Cromwell. Strict Puritan lifestyle laws are predictably unpopular, and the Commonwealth is unable to survive the loss of its leader.Hobbes leviathan published1651

Thomas Hobbes neatly sidesteps the Royalist vs Republican debate by focusing solely on the nature of power within the state rather than on the sovereign holding that power. His work forms the basis for theories of a social contract.Charles ii: the restoration1660

Upon the collapse of the republican Commonwealth, England returns to more familiar social/political territory. Charles is invited to return to occupy the throne his father earlier vacated. Charles II enjoys a much more successful reign.Newton develops differential calculus1665

The explosion in science and technology, begun by the European Humanist movement, continues. Many of the advances made during this time would form the basis of scientific thought for centuries to come.Great fire of london1666

Con: burned down a large section of historic London.

Pro: helped to end the Plague epidemic and spark urban renewalMiltons paradise lost published1667

Despite a crushing political defeat, loss of sight, and advancing age, Milton completes his epic poem, generally regarded as one of the greatest works of literature.Aphra behn publishes novel oroonoko1668

Behns Oroonoko is often seen as the first English novel. In it, we see a significant achievement, but also evidence of technical composition problems that would take a century to fully solve.Hudsons bay company founded1670

A growing interest in business and economic development spills over into the colonies.Wren begins rebuilding of saint Pauls cathedral1675

Mathematician Christopher Wren is commissioned to design a new cathedral to replace St. Pauls, which was destroyed in the Great Fire. His church, marking the shift to Neoclassical aesthetics, remains one of Londons defining modern landmarks.Penny post estd in london1680

The appearance of a postal service is just another indication of a new, faster pace of life one where staying connected was not just convenient, but essential.Street lighting attempted in london1684

Although it would take more many years to accomplish, there is already an obvious desire to defeat the natural cycles of time and transform cities into centres of 24/7 activity.Coronation of james ii1685

Jamess attempts to assert a French-style absolutism and to restore Catholicism provoked resistance and finally a revolt that produced a new form of national government in England and, ultimately, in Canada.William & mary: the glorious revolution1689-1690

The religious crisis provoked by James II was defused by inviting his Dutch Protestant son in law to invade and assume the throne with his wife, Jamess daughter, Mary, as co-regent. Their role and authority of the sovereign is also now contractually defined : a constitutional monarchy.