Historical Connections to the Renaissance Period

A 16th-centry portrait of Henry VIII
by Hans Holbein, the Younger

Beginning in 1485, the Renaissance was an intellectual and artistic movement focused around the rebirth of classical knowledge. It is also considered by many to mark the "birth" of the modern world. This movement began in Italy and spread to northern Europe over time. In Britain, this period also marked the change from Middle English to Modern English. In this topic, you will explore the Renaissance Period and learn what made this such an important and dynamic time in British literature.

Essential Question

• What were the important historical, political, and cultural events of the Anglo-Saxon Period?