Literary and social events from the Renaissance Period

Richard III is killed in battle

Aug 22, 1485

Richard III served as king of England for only two years, but his reign was one of the most historic and turbulent. He is credited with the responsibility for several murders. Shakespeare portrayed him as a tyrannical ruler in his play.

Christopher Columbus reaches the Americas

Oct 12, 1492

Known as 'the man who discovered America', Columbus was in fact trying to find a westward sea passage to the Orient when he landed in the New World in 1492. This unintentional discovery was to change the course of world history.

Leonardo da Vinci paints the Mona Lisa

Oct 1, 1503

Historians agree that Leonardo commenced the painting of Mona Lisa in 1503, working on it for approximately four years and keeping it himself for some years after. The first written reference to the painting appears in the diary of Antonio de' Beatis who visited Leonardo on the 10th October 1517.

Renaissance Period

Period: Sep 30, 1515 to Sep 30, 1661

Thomas Moore's Utopia is published.

Sep 30, 1516

Is one of the most important works of European humanism.

With the Supremacy Act, Henry VIII proclaims himself head of Church of England

Oct 1, 1543

Besides his six marriages, Henry VIII is known for his role in the separation of the Church of England from the Roman Catholic Church. Henry never formally repudiated the doctrines of the Catholic Church, but he declared himself supreme head of the church in England in 1534.

Elizabeth I becomes queen of England

Jan 15, 1558

Two months after the death of her half-sister, Queen Mary I of England, Elizabeth Tudor, the 25-year-old daughter of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn, is crowned Queen Elizabeth I at Westminster Abbey in London.

William Shakespeare, the Bard of Avon, is born

Apr 23, 1564

Is often called the English national poet and is widely considered the greatest dramatist of all time.

Globe Theatre is built in London

Sep 30, 1599

The Globe was the principal playhouse of the Lord Chamberlain's Men. Most of Shakespeare's post-1599 plays were staged at the Globe, including Julius Caesar, Macbeth, Othello, King Lear and Hamlet.

Shakespeare write King Lear

Oct 1, 1605

The story of King Lear and his daughters was a familiar tale in Elizabethan England, where it was generally believed to be based on historical fact, having been taken from ancient British history.

Shakespeare writes Macbeth

Sep 30, 1606

Macbeth was a real eleventh century Scottish king, but the historical Macbeth, who had a valid right to the throne, reigned capably in Scotland from 1040 till 1057.

First permanent English settlement in North America is established at Jamestown, Virginia.

May 14, 1607

On May 14, 1607, a small company of settlers landed at a point on the James River in Virginia and established the settlement of Jamestown. It was the first permanent English settlement in the New World.

Shakespeare’s sonnets are published

Oct 1, 1609

There was no reprint until 1640. The plays include the hostility of and towards time in the period from 1592-1595.

King James Bible is published

Oct 1, 1611

The King James version remains one of the greatest landmarks in the English tongue. It has decidedly affected our language and thought categories, and although produced in England for English churches, it played a unique role in the historical development of America.

The Mayflower lands at Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts

Oct 1, 1620

Those who would be forever known to future Americans as the Pilgrims set their sights on the New World in late 1620. Their voyage took about two months, and the passengers enjoyed a happier experience than most trans-Atlantic trips.

Newspapers are first published in London

Oct 1, 1621

First titled newspaper, Corante, published in London. The first regular English daily newspaper, the Daily Courant, was launched with the reign of Queen Anne in 1702.

John Milton begins Paradise Lost

Oct 1, 1658

Milton composed the ten books of Paradise Lost between 1658 and 1663. The only surviving manuscript of Paradise Lost is this 33-page fair copy, written in secretary script by a professional scribe, who probably transcribed patchwork pages of text Milton had dictated to several different amanuenses.

Puritan Commonwealth ends; monarchy is restored with Charles II

May 8, 1660

He was crowned at Westminster on 23 April 1661.In April 1660 Charles issued the Declaration of Breda, promising a general amnesty and freedom of conscience. Parliament accepted the Declaration and he was proclaimed King on 8 May 1660.