Emergence of humanism

1. What a piece of work is a man, how noble in reason, how infinite in faculties, in form and moving how express andadmirable, in action how like an angel, in apprehension how like a god! (Hamlet II ii) Emergence of humanism 1400

2. The appearance of universities throughout Europe brings Humanist thought into conflict with traditional Church teachings. Glasgow university est`d 1451

3. Territorial disputes with France come to an end; however, peace is soon to be shattered by dynastic conflicts at home that would be felt for centuries to come. End of the hundred years war 1453

4. The Houses of Lancaster and York compete for the crown, bringing a long period of death, division, and social turmoil to England. THE WARS OF THE ROSES 1455

5. The development of Gothic church architecture is a good example of the period’s high-tech mentality: change because “I want to.” Winchester cathedral 1460

6. Edward, a member of the House of York, reaches the throne through violence, allowing for a break in the war, at least formally. His reign would be long, but predictably tumultuous, and would really solve nothing. Edward iv (plantagenet) 1461

7. William Caxton publishes the first book in English. The spread of printing, facilitated by Gutenberg’s moveable type and the adoption of European vernacular languages produces a critical information explosion. The birth of the publishing industry 1474

8. Modern “R&D” culture begins to take shape with a number of inventions and speculative (spectacular?) designs – none more clearly ahead of its time* than da Vinci’s idea for a parachute. * N.B. the absence of a plane The birth of modern science & technology 1480

9. Confronted by a growing number of subversive movements, the Spanish church asks for and receives permission to conduct an inquest into matters of faith. This soon expands and becomes an instrument for combating the new heresy: Reformation. Spanish inquisition: reform and religious conflict 1481

10. The end of the Wars of the Roses finally comes with the arrival of Henry Tudor to the throne. His innovative reign marks not just a new dynasty, but also a new phase in England’s social-political development: the modern nation state. HENRY VII: emergence of a new england 1485

11. Columbus’s arrival in the Americas ignites a “space race” amongst Spain’s rivals...and opens a sad chapter in the history of the New World’s aboriginal people. COLUMBUS LANDS IN aMERICA 1492

12. The last supper – davinci The great Renaissance art movement is driven by the Humanist respect both for realism and for humanity in its physical form. 1495

13. John cabot commissioned by henry vii 1496

14. Route to india discovered by vascodagama 1498

15. In an attempt to forge a political alliance between England and the powerful kingdom of Aragon, Henry VII arranges for the marriage of his eldest son to Catherine. Sadly, Arthur would die the following year, touching off a series of events that would change history and affect the lives of all of England’s subjects Prince arthur marries catherine of aragon 1501

16. Arthur’s place is taken by younger brother, Henry, who replaces him as both heir and fiance. By the end of the decade, Henry would be both a new king and a new husband. His tenure brings a mixture of success, violence, power, and division to England and its monarchy. HENRY VIII: the growth of the monarchy 1509

17. Unaware of the changes that Humanism and the return of classical knowledge would bring to European theatre, audiences are treated to such moralistic fare as Everyman. Everyman (morality play) is performed 1510

18. The Ptolomaic universe (officially held by the Church) For his efforts in developing the heliocentric model, Copernicus is brought to trial. Copernicus’ commentariolus published is challenged by the Polish mathemetician. 1512

19. Like many of his time, Luther was disturbed by the abuses he saw in the Church; unlike them, he posted his criticisms in public. For this, he too was called to trial. He would later go on to translate the New Testament into German and marry a former nun. Martin Luther`s 95 theses and the protestant reformation 1517

20. The failure of the couple to produce a son convinces Henry that a new wife is necessary. Ensuing events would bring Henry into conflict with Rome and many of his own subjects, and would leave his personal life largely in ruins. HENRY VIII: THE MARRIAGE CONTROVERSY 1528

21. Various reform movements begin to build momentum throughout Europe. The emergence of Calvinism as a force in the north complicates England’s already chaotic religious situation. John knox leads calvinists in scotland 1541

22. Edward, son of Henry and Jane Seymour, represents the stability his father sought. He is bright, personable, and (more critically) a male. However, it was not be. Edward would die at the age of 15 after less than 6 years as king - most as a figurehead only. Coronation of edward vi 1547

23. Mary, Henry’s eldest child and the daughter of Catherine, hates the Church of England on both a theological and personal level. Her attempts to return England to Rome elevate religious/political strife in the country and make her rather brief reign one of the most notorious “bloody” mary and the return of catholicism 1553

24. Coming out from under the threat of execution, Elizabeth ascends the throne at just 25. Her youth and appearance belies a powerful personality (perhaps inherited from her father) that would serve her and her country well over the next 44 years. Elizabeth i: england`s golden age 1558

25. William is born into a comfortable, if unspectacular, village family. His rise from here to a life as a London man of letters has been cause for debate ever since. Shakespeare`s early years 1564

26. James Burbidge obtains a theatrical licence. He would later build a theatre and engage as an entrepreneur in the business of entertainment. His holdings eventually pass down to his son, Richard, who employed and then partnered with Shakespeare. the modern english theatre Middle-class businessmen across Europe begin to see the stage as a viable product, fuelling an explosion of dramatic production 1574

27. Not much is known about Shakespeare’s activities at this time. His motives, route, and initial plans have been the subject of a great deal of speculation. We do know, however, that within just five years of his arrival, Shakespeare would embark upon his career as a professional playwright. Shakespeare arrives in the city of london 1585

28. The Globe is designed with performance in mind - a true actors’ venue. Various textual clues suggest that this stage was clear in the author’s mind during composition. Perhaps more important is the innovation it included: the ticket booth Shakespeare`s home stage 1485

29. Henry VI (1590-92) Richard III (1592-93) Comedy of Errors (1592-93) Taming of the Shrew (1593-94) Romeo and Juliet (1594-95) A Midsummer Night’s Dream (1595-96) The Merchant of Venice (1596-97) Henry IV (1597-98) Henry V (1598-99) Julius Caesar (1599-1600) As You Like It (1599-1600) Twelfth Night (1599-1600) Shakespeare’s plays: phase i 1590-1600

30. The Armada remained history’s largest invasionary force until D-Day in WWII. Its defeat - through a combination of better ship design, better seamanship, and better luck – was the source of immense English pride. The spanish armada 1492

31. Shakespeare and his company experience the first of its plague-related closures. It is during this down time that he is believed to have composed many of the sonnets. Plague closes the theatres 1593/1603/1608

32. Elizabeth’s later years were marked by both great adulation and great anxiety. The Virgin Queen had failed her father’s most important test: she had produced no heir. Though at the height of their power in Europe, the English were again faced with a domestic crisis. The older elizabeth: power and succession 1600

33. Hamlet (1600-01) All’s Well That Ends Well (1602-03) Measure for Measure (1604-05) Othello (1604-05) King Lear (1605-06) Macbeth (1605-06) Anthony and Cleopatra (1606-07) Coriolanus (1607-08) Pericles (1608-09) The Winter’s Tale (1610-11) The Tempest (1611-1612) Henry VIII (1612-13) Shakespeare’s plays: phase iI 1600-1613

34. James Stuart (Elizabeth’s cousin and the son of Mary Queen of Scots) comes to power with few of his predecessor’s political skills. His apparent arrogance, foreignness, and Catholic leanings all work against him. The results would later be catastrophic. James i: the crisis of the stuart dynasty 1603

35. England’s apparently non-beneficial treaties with its rivals drives yet another wedge between James and his subjects. Though perhaps unwarranted, it seemed to confirm suspicions about his Catholicism. English treaties with spain and france 1604

36. James finds himself under attack from all sides. A group of disgruntled Catholics plot to blow up Parliament during the throne speech. They are foiled by the secret service and executed for treason. guy fawkes sentenced to death 1606

37. France is also active during this time. It focuses on expanding its holdings in the northern part of the continent, in what would eventually become Canada. Champlain founds quebec 1608

38. Having experienced success at the Globe, the company opens a closed-in winter venue north of the Thames in London proper - theatre goers having won out over city council opposition. KING’S MEN LEASE THE BLACKFRIARS THEATRE 1608

39. Shakespeare retires to his home town while still a relatively young man. His successes in London allow him to return to a large piece of property as a country gentleman. It also facilitates the awarding of a coat of arms to his family – a goal his father had tried in vain to achieve. Shakespeare retires to his home in stratford 1610

40. James I is generally more adept at producing books than sound policy. His work ranges from sports to witchcraft. The greatest of his accomplishments was the translation of scripture as the King James Version, a project he managed, but did not actively participate in. King james bible published 1611

41. Galileo’s telescope allows him to see what Copernicus had only been able to theorize. The result is the same for both of these science pioneers. Galileo faces the inquisition 1615

42. Death of williamshakespeare 1616

43. Puritan dissidents, fearing religious persecution, leave England for America. The arrival of the Pilgrims remains a significant moment in American history. Ironically, the Puritans would seize power at home less than 3 decades later. Mayflower sails for america 1620

44. Recognizing the popularity of the plays, a pair of actors from the company edit and publish a quality collection. This version would become the standard for later editions. The first folio 1623 (1632/1663/1686)

45. The Stuarts experience a growing division within the kingdom. The Royalist “Cavaliers” - a landed class - represent traditional, agricultural-based interests. They are aligned, too, with the Church of England, which saw the country from a similar perspective. Charles i and the cavalier establishment 1625

46. The Parliamentarian “Roundheads” have their powerbase in the cities, where a new, wealthy business class is emerging. The discontent over a shifting balance of authority, perhaps even more than theirPuritan beliefs, fuels armed revolt. Oliver cromwell & the puritan parliament 1628

47. The english civil wars 1642-1649

48. Established by a single-party faction within Parliament, the Commonwealth is essentially a theocratic dictatorship held together by the personal strength of Cromwell. Strict Puritan lifestyle laws are predictably unpopular, and the Commonwealth is unable to survive the loss of its leader. The english commonwealth 1642-1649

49. Thomas Hobbes neatly sidesteps the Royalist vs Republican debate by focusing solely on the nature of power within the state rather than on the sovereign holding that power. His work forms the basis for theories of a social contract. Hobbes’ leviathan published 1651

50. Upon the collapse of the republican Commonwealth, England returns to more familiar social/political territory. Charles is invited to return to occupy the throne his father earlier “vacated.” Charles II enjoys a much more successful reign. Charles ii: the restoration 1660