The English Renaissance

SPoplawski, Paul (2008) English LIterature in Context. Page 110

1. a period of a new beginning in many areas of society while retaking/revisiting ...

2. It was with the accession of ???? that this cultural change arrived to the UK.

• The War of the Roses: from the mid 15th century and later the marriage between Henry VII and Elizabeth of York. It reprsented the union of the Yorkist and Lancastrian houses.

• Henry VII: aimed to convince people about his soverigneity.

• Henry VIII: delegated all his politcial functions to his advisers.

• Edward VI: too young to be king - "The Lords" - Factions within Protestants

• Mary I: aged 37 developed a radical and religious alignment. Why? = "Old Faith"

• Elizabeth: short-termist but an intelligent political leader.

• James VI: a foreign king - tensions with Spain

• Charles Stuart became king in 1625 - royal authority rather than religious one - increasd taxation

• as culturally distinct in terms of their language, history and traditions, therefore, it was a resistant society.

• Wales united England politically and it was divided into shires.

• and their relation was marked by the constant practices such as marriages or diplomatic and military interventions = jittery

• had a relation marked by wars and above all a religious cause due to the different orientations different kings and queens had = Mary I and Elizabeth.

• there were powerful and catholic clans and families.

• many of the revolts in Ireland were originated in the dispute between Catholics and Protestants.