The Northern Renaissance Begins

SOL WHII.2b, 2e, 3a, 3c

The Northern Renaissance Begins 

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By 1450 the population of northern Europe, which had declined due to the bubonic plague, was growing again. Remember—  Italy was divided into

city-states  Monarchs and rulers were often patrons to the arts

Artistic Ideas Spread 

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1494: French king claimed the throne in Naples in southern Italy and launched an invasion through northern Italy. As the war dragged on, many Italian artists and writers left for a safer life in Northern Europe. Brought with them the styles and techniques of the Italian Renaissance.

Northern Writers Italian humanists were very interested in reviving classical languages and classical texts. When these ideas reached the north, people used them to examine the traditional teachings of the Church.  The northern humanists were critical of the failure of the Christian Church to inspire people to live a Christian life. 

Christian Humanists THE BEST KNOWN HUMANISTS: 1. ERASMUS – of Holland 

a) Wrote his most famous work –

The Praise of Folly. This book poked fun at greedy merchants, heartsick lovers, quarrelsome scholars, and pompous priests. b) Believed in Christianity of the heart, NOT one of ceremonies and rules. c) In order to improve society…all people should study the Bible.

Christian Humanists The other well-known Humanist: 2. Thomas More, from England 

a) b) c)

d)

Tried to show a better model of society In 1516, he wrote the book Utopia The book is about an imaginary land where greed, corruption, and war have been weeded out. Originally wrote in Latin, but was later translated into many languages

The Elizabethan Age The Renaissance spread to England in the mid1500s…this was known as the “Elizabethan Age” after Queen Elizabeth I who reigned from 1558 to 1603.  She was well educated and spoke French, Italian, Latin and Greek.  Supported the development of English art and literature 

William Shakespeare Most famous writer of the Elizabethan Age  Used the classics for inspiration  Most famous plays include the tragedies of Macbeth, Hamlet, Othello, Romeo and Juliet, etc. 

Printing Press 1440 – Johann Gutenberg from Germany developed a printing press that made it possible to produce books quickly and cheaply.  Printed a complete Bible, the Gutenberg Bible, in 1455.  It was the first full size book printed with movable type! 

Legacy of the Renaissance     

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Broke away from the medieval focus on the Church Believed in the dignity of the individual Led to the rise of democratic ideas Movable printing press spread ideas Changes in art: new techniques, realistic and lifelike, both secular and religious works, arts praised individual achievement Changes in society: printing made more information available, greater number of books prompted a desire for learning, people began to question political structures and religious practices