What is the Renaissance? When did it begin in Britain? What spheres of life did the Renaissance influence?

Renaissance – is a French word meaning ‘rebirth’, and it is used to describe the period of European history from about 1340 to 1600. The R was the period when the Middle Ages came to an end and the Modern World began. During that time great changes took place in literature, painting, sculpture, architecture and science. Until that time, men’s chief concern was God. The man of the R. saw himself in the centre of all things. They thought less of death and more of life. This made them eager to fond out all they could, opening up completely new possibilities. People became less attached to the Church and more to their own country. This feeling was particularly strong in England and France. England felt the effects of the R. later than much of Europe because of its insular position.

Why was the reign of Elizabeth I called 'the Golden Age'? What were the prominent writers, poets, painters, philosophers and scientists of that period?

Sir Thomas More, William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, Francis Bacon, Sir Walter Raleigh.

Indeed she saw a flower of a Renaissance in England. Elizabeth gave her name to the his­torical period, her reign (1558-1603) was the most colourful and splendid in English history. She was the embodi­ment of everything English and the English had found themselves as a nation. During that time great changes took place in literature, painting, sculpture, architecture and science. The artistic and literally movements of the R. was full of love of life and respect for freedom of the human mind. ‘Virgin Queen’

Why did Elizabeth support many English seamen that caused trouble to Spanish ships? Who were the most famous seamen of the time?

A group of English, Dutch and Portuguese pirates who have joined against Spain were called the Buccaneers. The West Indies were the centre of the Buccaneers and the island of Tortuga (Venezuele) was their headquarters. These sea men were not only pirates but also adventurous, travelers, trades, explorers. E1 encouraged the sea-dogs as they were called; the Piracy was common around the coast of the Br. Isles in the 16^th century. Although the ships were privately owned, the treasure was shared with the queen. The Spanish ambassadors were constantly asking to put a stop to the piracy, but she claimed they were acting on their own accord. The most famous seamen: Sir John Hawkins (slave trader), Sir Francis Drake (the 1^st Eng. man to sail around the world), Sir Martin Frobisher (tried to discover the N-W passage to China), Sir Walter Raleigh (courtier, introduced smoking), Sir Henry Morgan (lieutenant governor of Jamaica).

What was the result of the sea battle between the Armada and the English fleet?

The Spanish Armada (1588) – a Spanish fleet designed to carry an army to invade England, to overthrow Queen Elizabeth I and to return England to Catholicism. English ships attacked Spanish ships as they returned from America loaded with silver and gold. England defeated S.A.; many ships were sunk but most were scattered by the winds and racked on the rock of Scotland and Ireland. Only 86 out 130 survived. The Armada was rather awk­ward against the quick English ships. The Armada was defeated by the English ships and the storm in the English Channel. But that was not the end of the war with Spain. Peace was made only after the death of Elizabeth.

What were the reasons for the conflict of the Stuarts with the Parliament?

1. The 1^st Stuart Kings quarreled violently and often with Parliament. The 1^st signs of trouble between crown and P. came in 1601 when the Commons were angry over Elizabeth’s policy, but P. did not demand any changes because it didn’t want to upset the queen whom it feared and respected.
2. The King’s obsession with a union between England and Spain. James was determined to marry his son Charles to the Spanish Princess.
3. The King was even determined to return the country to Catholicism.
4. Like E., James tried to rule without P. as much as possible. He insisted that he alone had the right to make any decisions. James ignored the Magna Carta.
5. J. was successful in ruling while Br. Remained at peace.

1. Ch I was quarreling even more bitterly with P. then his father, mainly over money. When MPs refused to vote to give him money to pay for his governmental policies, Ch I, dismissed P. and ruled 11 years on his own.
2. The period of personal government came to an end when the king became involved in a war with Scotland in 1639 and the Irish rebelled in 1641. Ch realised he couldn’t manage without P. anymore.
3. The MPs came to London and were very critical of the king’s 11-years’ rule. They drew a long series of demands for reform and executed the ministers. In his turn Ch tried to arrest 5 MPs. The conflict between the monarchy and P. - the Civil War (1642-1646).

How did the Civil War develop and end?

The 2 opposite sides were The Cavaliers (King) and The Roundheads (P.)

The Roundheads (short hair) controlled East Anglia and the S-E including London. This army at 1^st consisted of armed groups of apprentices [ə'prentɪs]. It controlled the most important national and international sources of wealth.

The Cavaliers had no ways of raising money. They were supported by the House of Lords and the few of the Commons. They controlled most of the North and West of the country.

No more than 10% of the population became involved in the war.

At 1^st the King’s army was successful but P’s troops led by Sir Thomas Fairfax and Oliver Cromwell eventually won. Ch was put on trial.

What social groups supported Oliver Cromwell? What new kind of army did he create?

It was supported by armed groups of apprentices, the navy, merchants, population of London and some noblemen. Oliver Cromwell, a farmer in the past and a great military leader who had organ­ized the New Model Army (the first regular force made up of educated men who wanted to fight for their beliefs).

On December 16th in Westminster Oliver Cromwell publicly accepted the title of Lord Protector of a United Common­wealth of England, Scotland, Ireland and the colonies. - Protectorate [prə'tektərɪt]

He didn't dare to take up the title of King, as there was opposition to that in the Army.

What was Charles I accused and found guilty of?

The charges against him were that he was ‘a tyrant, traitor, murderer and public enemy’. Found guilty of ‘making was against his kingdom and the P.’ On the 30^th January in 1649 Charles was executed in public in the center of London outside his own home Whitehall Palace. (2 shirts, the crowd moaned, some people fainted)

How did O. Cromwell govern the country?

After the Civil War from 1649-1660 Br was governed as a republic. Oliver Cromwell was a strict Puritan educated at Cambridge and elected to P. for Cambridge city. He proved to be a religious radical, social conservative and pro soldier. Cromwell created a severe government. People were forbidden to celebrate Christmas and Easter or to play games on a Sunday. His efforts to govern the country though the army were extremely unpopular, and the Republic was not a success. When he died, the Protectorate collapsed. The monarchy was restored in 1660 and the period known as Interregnum was over.