Introduction to the Renaissance (1350-1550)

The Hundred Years War

Period: Jan 1, 1337 to Jan 1, 1453

The Bubonic Plague

Jan 1, 1350

Wiki Link to "Black Death"
AKA "The Black Death" The Bubonic Plague is a disease that is transmitted to humans either from contact with infected insects or infected people. The disease is extremely virulent and, in the 1300's, managed to kill an estimated 50% of Europe's population. Some historians place the Bubonic plague as the last moment of the Middle Ages; others feel it is the first moment of the Renaissance. Which is correct?

"Birth" of Humanism

Jan 1, 1375

Two of the most important early humanists (Petrarch and Boccaccio) died within a year of each other - but their philosophy spread throughout Italy and, later, across Europe. Humanism is generally the idea that we should study the classics (ancient Greek and Roman texts) and that knowledge was important for its own sake.

Great Western Schism

Period: Jan 1, 1378 to Jan 1, 1415

Rival Popes (one residing in Rome, the other in Avignon, France) vied for control of the Catholic Church - creating a considerable amount of religious unrest for many European Catholics.

Platonism arrives in Italy

Jan 1, 1397

Manuel Chrysoloras travels from Constantinople to Florence to promote the study of Plato. Many humanists were fascinated by Plato's teachings and "Platonism" - the belief that reason is eternal and, by interacting with it, humans interact with eternity.

Battle of Agincourt

Jan 1, 1415

The Battle of Agincourt (England vs France) is considered one of the more important battles of the 1400's. France outnumbered the British but, by use of the longbow, the British were able to eek out a victory. The Battle of Agincourt signaled the beginning of a shift away from hand to hand combat and toward ranged combat.

Jan Hus burned at the stake

Mar 15, 1415

Czech priest Jan Hus was executed for heresy by the Catholic Church in Prague. Hus had argued that many Catholic practices (such as indulgences) went against Catholic theory - initially causing him to be excommunicated and, later, executed.

Gutenberg Printing Press

Jan 1, 1439

In 1439, Johannes Gutenberg produced the first movable text printing press - allowing for an easier, faster production of books. Is there a possible relationship between the Gutenberg Printing Press and Humanism? If so, what is it? If not, why not?

Constantinople falls to the Ottoman Empire

Jan 1, 1453

Constantinople falls after several months of fighting to the Ottoman Empire and is renamed Istanbul, marking the end of the Roman Empire. With the loss of Constantinople, European powers had to find new route to Asia. There would be a new press toward ocean exploration - either south (around Africa) or west (initially toward Asia, but ultimately toward the Americas)

War of the Roses (England)

Period: Jan 1, 1455 to Jan 1, 1485

A Civil War in England between the House of York (the White Rose) and the House of Lancaster (the Red Rose) for the crown of England.

Ivan the Great takes the throne of Moscow

Mar 15, 1462

Ivan III (or Ivan the Great) takes the throne of the Rus in Moscow. Over the course of his 40 year reign, he would drive back the Golden Horde from the surrounding area and lay the foundation for the modern state of Russia.

Ferdinand and Isabella Marry (Spain)

Jan 1, 1469

Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile married in 1469 - uniting two small kingdoms into what is effectively modern Spain. The rule of Ferdinand and Isabella has been hotly debated by historians. The monarchs supported (and succeeded) the "reconquest" movement to drive Islam from Spain and ordered all Jewish people to leave the country. They also sponsored Christopher Columbus' voyages to the New World.

Bartolomeu Dias rounds the Cape of Good Hope

Jan 1, 1488

Dias is the first Portuguese explorer to successfully sail around the continent of Africa to reach the Indian Ocean.

Lamentation over the Dead Christ

Jan 1, 1490

Andrea Mantegna was a famous Italian artist - a contemporary of Raphael and Michaelangelo. How does his work suggest humanist influences?

Jews expelled from Spain

Jan 1, 1492

The Spanish Expulsion 1492

France invades Italy (Florence)

Jan 1, 1494

King Charles VIII of France invades the Italian Penninsula and annexes Florence. The speed of France's victory was alarming to the remaining Italian states who created an alliance (The League of Venice) to counterbalance French power. France's victory in Florence was short lived - Charles would abandon Florence in 1495 - but Frances ambitions in Italy would not be.

French ambitions in Italy

Period: Jan 1, 1494 to Jan 1, 1515

France invades Italy (Milan)

Jan 1, 1499

France - now ruled by Louis XII - made a second attempt at the Italian peninsula in 1499; this time through Milan. The war was provoked by a particularly scandelous Pope Alexander VI to further the private ambitions of his family.

Michalangelo paints the Sistine Chapel

Period: Mar 14, 1508 to Mar 14, 1512

Tudor Dynasty begins in England

Jan 1, 1509

With the ascention of Henry VIII to the throne, the Tudor family will rule England until 1603.

Raphael completes "The School of Athens"

Mar 14, 1511

SmartHistory - "The School of Athens"

Machiavelli's "The Prince"

Jan 1, 1513

Excerpts How did the following affect Machiavelli's view of what a ruler should be: Italian wars with France?
Humanist ideas?

France invades Italy (Milan)

Jan 1, 1515

In 1515, under King Frances I, the French make a final stab at Italy. However, Frances I was less interested in the Italian states as he would be the Holy Roman Empire and thus put a temporary end to Frances southeastern ambitions.

Martin Luther's "Ninety Five Theses"

Mar 14, 1517

Martin Luther hangs his famous "Ninety Five Theses" on the doors of the Catholic Church in Wittenberg, Germany (the Holy Roman Empire) condemning Catholic practices of indulgences. How did the recent invention of the Printing Press influence the influence of Luther's writings? Would it have been as successful without Gutenberg's invention?

Erasmus' "Colloquies"

Jan 1, 1518

German scholar and humanist, Desiderius Erasmus demonstrates the influence of humanism far away from Italy. Erasmus stressed a combination of classical virtues with Catholic teachings.

Spain sacks Rome

Jan 1, 1527

The Holy Roman Empire was victorious in battle against France - but the funds were not available to pay the soldiers. The soldiers instead revolted and marched on the city of Rome (which was poorly defended.) Many people mark this as the end of the Renaissance.