What was the Renaissance?The Renaissance is considered the start of modern times. After the bleak years or the Middle Ages, the Renaissance was a welcome change in time. Gone were Barbarians, Vikings and Magyars; Feudalism and Papacy declined. Strong monarchies were centralized throughout Europe. The Renaissance was a rebirth of Europe. The invention of the printing press made books published available to all people instead of only members of the clergy. This technology helped spread secular teachings of philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, physics, art and literature.
Galileo GalileiBirth: Feb 15, 1564 Pisa, Italy Death: Jan 8, 1642 Arcetri, Italy Astronomer, Mathematician "Father of Modern Science" Galileo was a mathematics professor who made observational discoveries that forever changed the scientific world, most especially in physics.. He was twice accused of heresy by the Catholoic church for his beliefs and his books on his ideas. He supported the Copernican theory of a sun-centered solar system. Galileo wrote several book on physics and astronomy, as well as developed a telescope that was far more advanced from any other. In 1616, Galileo was ordered not to "hold, teach, or defend any manner" of the Copernican theory. He obliged for several years, but later continued his work in 1623. The Catholic church ordered an Inquisition in 1632. He was convicted of heresy and sentenced to spending his remaining years under house arrest. Galileo, however, did not comply with all restrictions placed on him; he frequently had visitors which had been forbidden. A French translation of his studies was later published, followed by release of another of his works in Holland. He also wrote another book that was published in Holland in 1638. By this time, he had lost his sight and was in poor health. He died in 1642. In 1758, the Catholic church lifted bans on most works supporting Copernican theory. In 1835, it dropped its opposition to heliocentrism. DID YOU KNOW?!THERE IS NO SINGLE CAUSE FOR THE THIRTY YEARS WAR. IT STARTED AS A RELIGIOUS WAR BETWEEN PROTESTANTS AND CATHOLICS. HOWEVER IT TURNED INTO A GENERAL CONFLICT BETWEEN MAJOR EUROPEAN POWERS.
King Charles IBorn in 1600, Charles became the King of England, King of Scotland and King of Ireland in 1625. Conflict between Charles and Parliament of England and Scotland, as well as his failure in pleasing English and Scottish citizens eventually led to the English Civil War. He was defeated in both the First and Second Civil Wars. In 1649, at the end of the Second Civil War, Charles was captured, tried and executed for high treason.
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Renaissance Music Characteristics and ComposersMain Characteristics:
-Mostly polyphonic; rich texture, four or more parts., bass part added below tenor-Based on modes, accidentals eventually creep in -Blending strands, rather than contrasting. Harmonious -Sacred music contained polyphony, a cappella, and polychoral and contrapuntal motion -Secular music was similar to sacred music, but was very vocal, lively (often used for dance) and contained more instrumental pieces (both instrumental and sonic) Renaissance music was based on polyphonic practices. Sacred music has been described as choral polyphony. The biggest difference between Medieval and Renaissance music is the texture. A medieval composer often had contrasting strands of music, whereas a Renaissance composer strived to blend them together. Until the beginning of the 16th Century, instruments were considered to be less important than voices. They were used for dance and accompaniment. In the 16th Century, composers were largely interested in writing music for instruments. These instruments, however, were intended for outdoors. Music was lyrical; often very poetic and full of imagery. Song was a form of expression and composers were known to paint pictures with their words.
The Protestant ReformationMajor Changes made by the Reformation:
-People were saved without penitence and confession (which came to be considered as sinful), but instead by faith, learning and the grace of God -Scripture was the sole authority -A new church structure: a community of believers, a preacher, no hierarchy In the early 16th Century, European's were dissatisfied with many aspects of the Catholic Church: the extreme bureaucracy, arrogance, avarice and the abuse of power. People agreed that there needed to be a reform of this church. There was a large fragmented reform movement, with attempts from the Pope right down to priests. However, these attacks were made to focus on one aspect at a time, rather than the whole church. In 1517, Martin Luther came about and provided a tight theological argument, convincing masses of people that they did not need the Catholic church to save them. Luther was a Professor of Theology. He became extremely angry at the Church for selling "indulgences" (an indulgence was a cancellation or remission of the punishment one received for their sins that had already been forgiven). Luther produced 95 theses against them, privately sending them to friends as well as enemies, and nailed them to church doors. His works were published. Shortly after, the Dominicans called for sanctions against him. While Luther was waiting to be condemned, he produced powerful work, falling back on scripture, challenging the Church and its authoritarian ways. Luther's ideas and preaching methods spread quickly. He was supported by others who agreed with his beliefs, as well as people who just wanted to oppose the Church. With the spread of his teachings came a large change for the Church. Never before had so many clergy switched to a new creed. Shortly after Luther, other preachers came for, such as the Swiss preacher Zwingli, who produced very similar ideas, starting the Swiss Reformation. The Reform was strengthened when powerful political figures converted. This brought military conflict, such as the `War of Religion.` The Counter-ReformationWith the Protestant Reformation ripping apart `Christian Europe,` the Catholic church knew they had to to take action. The population had been upset with the church for years. Martin Luther became a figurehead for the reformation. This reformation took Pope Leo X by surprise. Leaders within the church were extremely worried about the support Luther had from monarchies across Europe. In 1545, leaders of the Catholic Church gathered in the city of Trent in Italy in emergency conference, aiming to strengthen and restore the superiority of the Catholic Church. After 20 years of debate, the Council of Trent established the basis of the Catholic counter-attack. Decrees were issued, addressing every aspect of church authority including hold of multiple offices, chastity of priests and monastic reform. The "Index of Forbidden Books" was published, discrediting 583 heretical texts, including most translations of the Bible. New churches were ordered, designed to accommodate worship, both in space and acoustics, and vernacular sermons. The Catholic Church used their reform to entice back converts.
The Council of Trent created the Roman Inquisition, based on the successful Spanish Model. The examined and tried all evidence of heresy and dissent, no country exempt. |
DID YOU KNOW?!RENAISSANCE MEANS "REBIRTH"
DID YOU KNOW?!GALILEO GALILEI WAS BORN TO VICENZO GALILEI, A WELL-KNOWN MUSICIAN AND MUSIC THEORIST.
Printing PressInvented by Johannes Gutenberg, a German goldsmith and inventor. This invention is known as the start of the Renaissance period. Gutenberg started his invention in 1436 and was completed by 1440. He adapted his invention again, creating an even larger press in 1450. This press remained the standard until the 20th century.
DID YOU KNOW?!THE RENAISSANCE PERIOD BEGAN IN SOME AREA'S OF EUROPE BEFORE OTHERS. IT WAS THE START OF TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES, BUT THESE ADVANCES NEEDED TIME TO TRAVEL EVERYWHRE. THEREFORE, SOME PEOPLE WERE STILL LIVING A MEDIVEAL LIFE UNTIL THE EARLY 16TH CENTURY!
Mary Queen of the ScotsBorn Mary Stuart in 1542. She was the only surviving, legitimate child of King James V of Scotland. At six days old, she became the Queen of Scotland. During her life, she claimed the crowns of four nations: Scotland, France, England and Ireland. Mary eventually placed herself under the protection of her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I. Elizabeth saw Mary as a threat to her throne and had her arrested. Mary spent the remainder of her life in prison. She was executed in 1587 at the age of 44..
DID YOU KNOW?!HENRY VIII ISSUED AN "ACT OF SUPREMACY" IN 1534 PRIMARILY BECAUSE THE CATHOLIC CHURCH WOULD NOT GIVE HIM AN ANNULMENT NOR RECOGNIZE HIS DIVORCE FROM CATHERINE OF ARAGON. HE HAD ALREADY REMARRIED. THE ACT OF SUPREMACY DECLARED HIM THE HEAD OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND. THIS ACT WAS VERY SIGNIFICANT, AS THE PROTESTANT REFORMATION WAS TAKING PLACE.
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