Historical Background

From Italy to England ( 1485 - 1660)

What does"Renaissance" mean?

• REBIRTH

English Renaissance in England happened much later than in Italy.

• Due to:

Hundred Years' War (Ended 1453)

War of the Roses (ended 1485)

• English Renaissance, considered the flowering of the drama.

• Histories, comedies and tragedies.

• Important playwrights: William Shakespeare, Christopher Marlowe, Ben Jonson, and John Webster.

• The invention of the printing press allowed these new ideas to spread quickly through Europe.

• Period not just about Britain...there were many changes over the world:

1492: Columbus lands in Western Hemisphere.

1503: Leonardo de Vinci painted the Mona Lisa.

1514: Ponce de León explores Florida.

1604: Spain - part I of Don Quixote published.

1620: North America - Pilgrims land at Plymouth Rock.