The English Renaissance1485-1660

Unit 2

English IV

Miss Bogner

What does “renaissance” mean?

• Rebirth• Where did it start? (Italy)• Human values and perceptions changes• The shift from the medieval period was on

religion and the afterlife• People were now focused on a more modern

view. Stressed life on earth

Arts & Literature

• Renaissance people took delight in art, literature, beauty of nature, human impulses, sense of mastery over the world.

• Expanded the scientific, geographical, and philosophical aspect of the world.

• Questioned what were timeworn truths.

A “Renaissance” Man

• Emphasis placed on the individual & human potential.

• What is a “Renaissance” man?- A person who ideally was multi-faceted who

cultivated his innate talents to the fullest.- What does that mean?

England Catches Up

• The English Renaissance started in Italy & it took a while before England was able to catch up.

• What were they waiting on?

-1485- War of Roses ends, Henry Tudor takes the throne as Henry VII.

Who is this Henry VII guy?

• Exercised strong authority• Built up nations largest merchant fleet• Financed expeditions that established

England’s claims in the New World.

What About Henry VIII?

• Took throne in 1509• Athlete, poet, musician• Spoke French, Italian, & Latin• Protestant Reformation was happening in

northern Europe• Here comes what he is most famous for…

His Children

• Married 18 years to Catherine• Only had 1 daughter, Mary• Became obsessed with having a male heir• Requested that his marriage be annulled so

that he could marry Anne Boleyn• Pope refused to agree• Henry said “see ya later”

Church of England

• 1534- Henry VIII leaves & makes his own church

• People began to support his ideas & decisions• Those who were opposed to this, often

sacrificed themselves• Anne Boleyn- has only a daughter, Elizabeth• Anne is executed for adultery

His Only Son

• 3rd marriage- Finally Henry has a son• Edward VI- sickly, frail• 1547- Succeeded his father to the throne• 6 year reign, Church of England became truly

Protestant• Beliefs were clarified, Book of Common

Prayer was published• Edward dies- half sister Mary takes throne

The Elizabethan Era

• She proves to be the ablest monarchs in England’s history

• England, during this time, reached its fullest flower.

• Prosperity & international prestige• Practical girl, loved pomp & ceremony, but

was frugal & kept a balanced budget.

Oh Elizabeth, We Love You

• She exercised her authority, but was still sensitive to public opinion

• Respectful of Parliament• When it came to religion, she steered right down

the middle.• Reestablished the independent Church of

England• Was a “buffer” between Catholics & radical

Protestants.

More of Elizabeth

• Kept England out of costly wars• Ended unpopular Spanish alliance• She never married in the 20 years that she was

on the throne….but she took dating to her advantage

• Showed interest in one prince after another• Not all ends well….

Her Cousin

• Quarrel with Spain grows• 1587- Elizabeth executes her cousin Mary

Stuart (the Roman Catholic queen of Scotland)• Mary said that Elizabeth’s marriage was not

legit, so she should not have been heir to the throne.

• Spain’s Philip of Scotland sends an armada to England---bad weather, England wins

The Rise of the Stuarts

• Elizabeth dies in 1603• There was nobody left to take the throne in the

Tudor house.• Stuarts take over• James IV of Scotland comes to power (James

I)• Disputes between church again…• Son takes throne– Charles I

Here We Go Again…

• They did not have what it took to be like Elizabeth

• Thought that they were “God’s representatives”

• Dismisses Parliament, doesn’t call them back for 11 years

• English people emigrated to North America• England is in a civil war

The Defeat of the Monarchy

• Royalists (supporters of the monarchy, RC’s) vs. Supporters of Parliament (puritans, small land owners, middle-class people)

• 1645 Puritans defeated the Royalists• Ok, but now what?• We don’t have a monarchy anymore…• This does not work out & turns to chaos.• Charles II comes back to power.

The Saga Continues…

• Charles II comes back to the throne & we will have a new era in England’s history…

UNIT 3

The Restoration