Literary Events Timeline from the Renaissance Period

Richard III is killed in battle.

Oct 1, 1485

Richard III was killed at the Battle of Bosworth. It effecively ended the War of the Roses. He is best known for being accused of murdering his nephews to protect his throne.

Christoper Columbas reaches the Americas

Oct 12, 1492

Christoper Columbus reaches the Americas by accident. He was determined to find a direct water route west from Europe to Asia, but he never did. Instead, he accidentally stumbled upon the Americas. Though he did not really “discover” the New World–millions of people already lived there–his journeys marked the beginning of centuries of trans-Atlantic conquest and colonization.

Leonardo da Vinci paints the Mona Lisa

Oct 1, 1503

Leonardo da Vinci took over ten years to complete the Mona Lisa. He became very partial and even when he finished did not turn it in right away. Mona Lisa is believed by historians that she was around twenty four when the portrait was completed

Thomas More's Utopia is Publsihed

Sep 30, 1516

The book was originally written by Thomas More in Latin. It was later published in Louvain. It is a book written in satire to criticize Europe's political corruption and the church that was hypocritical. It shows the society for how it really was in the 1500's.

With the Supremacy Act, Henry VIII proclaims himself head of the Church of England

Oct 1, 1543

During this whole time, everybody was Catholic and when Henry became king, he bagan a religious upheavel because he declared himself, head of the church of England. He wanted everybody to follow his religious views.

Elizabeth I becomes Queen of England

Oct 1, 1558

She becomes Queen in 1558. She rules the land with great justice for nearly half a century. She was only twenty-five years old when she became Queen, but she was very mature and was a great leader for England.

William Shakespeare, the Bard of Avon is born.

Apr 23, 1564

Historians believe William Shakespeare was actually born on April 23, 1564 and died that same day many years later. He is most famous for his plays and sonnets and many more works. People read Shakespeare even today; however, little is known about Shakespeare himself.

Globe Theatre is built in London

Oct 1, 1599

The Globe Theatre was built in 1599 using timber from an older theatre. It was opened in a n area called Bankside. Many of Shakespeare's plays were performed here. Almost all were allowed in to watch the plays for around a penny.

Shakespeare wrote Macbeth

Oct 1, 1605

Shakespeare wrote Macbeth sometime during 1605. Macbeth was first performed at Hampton Court Palace before James I and his guests in 1606. Macbeth is a dark play and its main characters are evil and the whole plot is very sinister.

Shakespeare wrote King Lear

Dec 23, 1606

King Lear's s first recorded performance was on December, 23 1606. The setting of the play is in England,and it is categorized as a tragedy. It is believed that King Lear was actually published in 1608.

First Permanent English Settlement in North America is established

Oct 1, 1607

The first settlement was established in Jamestown, Virginia. It was founded thirteen years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. The government, language, customs, beliefs and aspirations of these early Virginians are all part of the United States’ heritage today.

Shakespere's Sonnets are Published

Oct 1, 1609

There are 154 sonnets written by Shakespeare. A sonnet is a form of lyric poetry with fourteen lines and a specific rhyme scheme. The topic of most sonnets wrote in Shakespeare's time is love or theme related love.

King James Bible Published in 1611

Oct 1, 1611

The King James Version of the Bible, released in 1611, was authorized by King James in order to have as accurate a translation as pssible, which could be printed and widely circulated. The original Old Testament writings were in Hebrew and the New Testament in Greek. KIng James was allowing the Bible to writtten this way to allow more people to understand it.

The Mayflower lands at Plymouth, Massachusetts

Oct 1, 1620

The Mayflower lands with over 100 hundred pilgrims on the ship in 1620. They wanted to land close to Jamestown where there was already settlement and establishment. However, they ended up landing in Massachusetts, therefore they had to come up with their own government and way of life. It has many of the traditios and rules we still carry over today in the present day United States.

Newspapers are first published in London

Sep 24, 1621

Corante was the first newpaper published in London. It was published in 1621 and there are only seven copies of it stil left in the world.

John Milton begins Paradise Lost

Oct 1, 1658

Milton began Paradise in 1658 and finished it in 1667. It is considered one of the most influential plays of English Literature.

Puritan Commonwealth ends; Monarchy is restored with Charles II

Oct 1, 1660

This event was an issue with religion and parliament. Previously, the Puritans had been led by a man named Oliver Cromwell who had ruled them with basically a dictatorship. They were completley against this happening, and that is how we ended up with the monarchy and the King being Charles II.