The English Renaissance

The Renaissance is a period of "rebirth" of human spirit. It can be divided in two periods: the Elizabethan and the Jacobean. Elizabeth ruled longer than any other monarch during the Renaissance and during this period new heights attained in world affairs, in art, in literature, in music. Five monarchs reigned: Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I (1558-1603).

In the Jacobean Period the king left no heirs so he was succeeded by son of her cousin Mary, Queen of Scots: James IV of Scotland, James I of England became King and he ruled from 1603 to 1625.

Humanism

During Humanism there is a new way of looking at the world, a questioning of authority and faith, a rise of rationalism and skepticism, an emphasis from religious to secular matters. Some great thinkers of this period are Erasmus and More.

The Renaissance began in Italy in fourteenth century, it was a time of rebirth of intellectual and artistic energies that characterized ancient Greek and Roman civilization.

In Italy famous writers are Petrarch and Boccacio, a famous painter is Giotto, a famous architect is Brunelleschi, a famous sculptor is Donatelle, famous artists are Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo.

People like Lorenzo the Magnificent encouraged intellectual trends and artistic accomplishments, then encouraged the goals of Renaissance Humanism and emphasized the capacities of the human mind and the achievement of human culture.

Other Renaissance accomplishments in the world are: territorial exploration and discovery (for example Columbus in 1492), Sir Thomas More, center of an active and brilliant circle of English Humanists and More's Utopia (first literary masterpiece of the English Renaissance), Copernicus and Galileo, forerunners of modern astronomy.

During the Renaissance there were three protestant reformation: with the Ninety-Five Theses of Martin Luther in Germany, when King Henry VIII asked the Pope for a divorce and the Anglican Church of England.

After Henry VIII ruled Edward, nine year old son. After his death ruled Mary, daughter of Henry and Catherine of Aragon, later there was the reign of terror with Bloody Mary. Then Elizabeth (daughter of Henry and Anne Boleyn) ruled.

England became the most powerful nation indeed England defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588, improved its ships and won the control of the seas.

In 1576 was built the first public theater near London. In 1593 theaters closed for a year because of the plague, then reopened.

Elizabeth died without heirs and so became king James I: the Jacobean Era started. He died in 1625 and Charles became king. An important figure of this period is Oliver Cromwell, commander of the Parliamentary forces.

After this period started a new era: the Restoration of the monarchy.