Characteristics of the Renaissance include a renewed interest in classical antiquity; a rise in humanist philosophy (a belief in self, human worth, and individual dignity); and radical changes in ideas about religion, politics, and science.

A major characteristic of the Renaissance was the revival of Classical learning and wisdom, Classical here meaning the Greek arts and learnings (and to a lesser extent the Roman arts and learning).

Italy: The Renaissance began in Italy due to its geographical location, thriving cities, a wealthy merchant class, and the classical heritage of Greece and Rome. Scholars interested in art and literature wanted to return to the learnings of the Greeks and Romans.

The 10 Most Famous Figures of the Renaissance

• Lorenzo de’ Medici (Italy, 1449-1492)
• Petrarch (Italy, 1304-1374)
• Filippo Brunelleschi (Italy, 1377-1446)
• Michel de Montaigne (France, 1533-1592)
• Raphael (Italy, 1483-1520)
• Leonardo da Vinci (Italy, 1452-1519)
• Galileo Galilei (Italy, 1564-1642)

January–December. April 14 – The foundation stone of Nantes Cathedral in Nantes, France, is laid. May 30 – Hussite Wars – Battle of Lipany: The Catholics and Ultraquists defeat the Taborites, ending the Hussite Wars. June 19 or 20 – Zara Yaqob becomes Emperor of Ethiopia.

1500s–1600s Portugal, Spain, England, and France establish the slave trade from Africa to bring workers to sugar and tobacco plantations in South America and the Caribbean, and later to the cotton plantations in the southern U.S. religious Reformation begins. Protestant religions emerge in Europe.

Around 1300, centuries of prosperity and growth in Europe came to a halt. A series of famines and plagues, including the Great Famine of 1315–1317 and the Black Death, reduced the population to around half of what it had been before the calamities. Along with depopulation came social unrest and endemic warfare.

January 6 – King Henry VIII of England marries Anne of Cleves, his fourth Queen consort. The marriage lasts six months and ends in divorce in July. February 14 – Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, enters Ghent without resistance, and executes the rebels.

June – Moctezuma II, Aztec ruler of Tenochtitlan, is declared deposed due to his captivity by conquistador Hernán Cortés. His brother Cuitláhuac rises to the throne. June 7 – King Henry VIII of England and King Francis I of France meet at the famous Field of Cloth of Gold.

Henry VIII of England

Edward

eight kings

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