Renaissance Timeline

By Tom117
  • Jan 1, 1347

    Black Death

    In 1347 the Black death broke out all through Europe and killed about 25 million people, which was a quarter of the European popluatinn. This was a truly terrifiing thing for the European people. The bacteria which caused the disese was spread at first by rats, which were in plauge proportions. It was also spread among people by contact with an infected person or corpse. Some of the early symptons were headaches, fever and vomiting.
  • Jan 1, 1431

    Joan of Arc burned at the stake

    At the age of 13 Joan began to see visions and hear voices from the saints. They told her to lead the French army against the English which she did, and she was successful in battle. In 1430 she was captured by the English and held captive for 8 months. The English hated her and looked for an excuse to have her killed-they tried to prove she was a witch. Despite all her efforts for France, no one defended her at her trial, she was declared a witch and burned at the stake. She was 19 years old.
  • Jan 1, 1440

    Gutenberg develops the printing press

    In 1440 one of the most important inventions was developed by a man named Gutenberg- the printing press. The printing press revolutionised people's lives, by making literature more available to large numbers of the general population, not just monks and nuns. Before the printing press, books were written by hand, and so were rare and very expensive. More printing presses were made, and by the year 1500 there were about 1000 printers and 10 million books throughout Europe.
  • Jan 1, 1452

    Leonardo da Vinci was born

    In 1452 the great Leonardo da Vinci was born. Leonardo was known as a man of the future, becasue he was so ahead of his time and designed and built inventions that are still extraordinary to this day. He was a brilliant artist, and painted one of the most famous paintings in the world - the Mona Lisa. Some of his inventions included weapons, but as a person he was peace loving and kind, and loved animals, music and telling stories. He studied anatomy and dissected many dead bodies.
  • Jan 1, 1492

    Columbus discovered west indies

    In 1485 Chistopher Columbus tried unsuccessfully to persuade the Portugese king to agree to an expedition to find a western sea route to Asia. So 7 years later he tried to convince the Queen of Spain to support and fund his mission and she did. Columbus clamied to reach the Indies in 1492 but really found the islands of the Caribbean which became known as the West Indies.
  • Jan 1, 1502

    First watch made

    In 1502 the first watch was made. This is important becasue it gave everyday people the abilty to tell the time quickly and readily without having to go to the town clock for example.
  • Jan 1, 1503

    Leonardo painted the Mona Lisa

    The Mona Lisa is probaly the msot famous painting in the world. It is so good because it features three different Renaissance painting techniques that all work together to create this magnificent piece of artwork.
  • Jan 1, 1512

    Michelangelo completes Sistine Chapel Ceiling

    In 1512 Michelangelo completed the Sistine Chapel Ceiling. The Sistine Chapel is located in the Vatican city which is the official residence of the Pope. Michelangelo painted the ceiling by creating his own scaffold which was a flat wooden design. The work is a series of nine paintings which show God's creation of the world, God's relationship with mankind, and mankind's fall from God's grace, as well as portraits of 12 men and women prophesying about Jesus' salvation.
  • Jan 1, 1534

    Henry VIII breaks away from Roman Catholic Church

    In 1534 Henry VIII broke away from the Roman Catholic Church because they wouldn't let him get divorced and remarry. Henry decided to make his own church so he could remarry after divorce. This church was called The Church of England (Anglican church as it as known as now)
  • Jan 1, 1564

    William Shakespear was born

    In 1564 the famous poet and play writer Shakespear was born. He was one of the most important literary figures in the history of the English language. His plays have been performed in many different countries and languages all aournd the world, still to this day these 450 year old plays are still being performed and studied. The works of Shakespeare form a major component of most English secondary school courses today.