The English Renaissance

The English Renaissance: 1485-1660

"A Celebration of Human Achievement"

The Monarchy and the Church

Christianity became the law and religion of the land,

and those who disagreed or refused were put to death.

1. Henry Tuder took the throne in 1485 as Henry VII.
2. Made business treaties with other countries, built up nations merchant fleet, and financed expeditions to English claims in America.
3. Arranged Arthur (his son) to marry Spanish princess, Catherine or Aragon, thus creating an alliance with Spain.
4. When Henry VII died, the Pope granted Henry (younger brother)

The Protestant Reformation

1. Want not satisfied with Roman Catholic Church
2. Power and wealth of the Church caused corruption
3. Martin Luther wrote 95 arguments about the Church
4. Split from Roman into Protestant

The Church Of England

1. Henry VII sought for a male heir from Anne Boleyn and did not receive one,
2. so he sought for a divorce, which the pope would not grant
3. Henry broke from Rome and named himself the head of the Church of England
4. During Edward VI's reign, radical protestants believed the church needed to be "purified", hence the becoming of Puritans
5. Mary took thrown, to avenge her mother, and took back Roman Catholicism and persecuted Protestants, giving her the nickname "Bloody Mary"

The Elizabethan Era

1. Elizabeth I, became one of the most able monarchs of the time and history
2. Time of prosperity and international prestige
3. Absolute authority, but still listened to the opinions of citizens
4. Kept England out of wars, ended Spanish alliance, and encouraged oversea expeditions
5. Used the Church of England as a buffer between Catholics and Puritans
6. Elizabeth ordered Mary to be beheaded
7. King Phillip II sent an armada to challenge English Navy and failed.

The Rise of the Stuarts

1. Tuder dynasty came to an end in 1603
2. Succeeded by James VI. (James I)
3. James angered Roman Catholics and Protestant extremists
4. "Gunpowder Plot" was the plot to kill James I
5. Charles I took the throne in 1625, and dismissed Parliament
6. Thousands of citizens emigrated to North America to escape persecution
7. Charles was forced to reinstate Parliament thus causing him to be stripped of many powers

Defeat of the Monarchy

1. Royalists vs. Parliament
2. Under the control of General Oliver Cromwell, Parliament defeated the Royalists, and the King surrendered
3. England's theaters were closed, most forms of recreation were suspended, and Sunday became the day of prayer, even walking for pleasure was forbidden
4. Charles II was exiled and taken from the throne
5. The Restoration came into affect in England