The English Renaissance
1485-1660
Unit 2
English IV
Miss Bogner
What does “renaissance” mean?
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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?
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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 
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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
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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