Renaissance and Reformation in Europe Study Guide

Humanism- An intellectual movement in which people began to praise human

potential and achievement, it rediscovered Classical Greek and Roman art,
literature, and civilization. It is also one of the main characteristics of the
Renaissance
Patron (age) It is a wealthy person who supports an artist by funding and
purchasing their work in order to show their personal prestige and power, they
allowed artists to create works of art and writings.
Perspective- An art technique of illustrating three dimensions through distance and
shading, it created realistic art which was prevalent during the Renaissance.
Secularism- When people become more concerned with worldly concerns instead of
religious worries. It is the major characteristic of the Renaissance and was a
returning to the Classical Greek and Roman eras
Vernacular- The language that is spoken by the people in a country or area, books
started to be written in a native language during this time. This allowed more
people to become literate.
Baldassare Castiglione- (1528) He was an Italian author who wrote The Book of the
Courtier which taught how to be a Universal or Renaissance man. He believed that
a young man should be talented as well as educated. It spread humanism through
Europe and created the concept as to a real gentleman. It was also the basis of the
idea of a Renaissance man in the Italian Renaissance.
Miguel de Cervantes- (born 1547) He was a Spanish writer who is considered to be
the greatest Spanish writer of all time, he wrote Don Quijote which is considered
to be the first novel written.
Donatello- (1460s) He was an Italian sculptor from Florence, he is well known for his
realistic statues that seemed to capture life itself. One of his most sculpted figures is
David, a biblical hero and king; it was the first European sculpture that was freestanding and large for its size. His sculptures allowed the development of
perspective techniques that are used today.
Albrecht Durer- (1494) He was a Northern Renaissance German artist who traveled
to Italy to study. He made woodcuts and engravings which portrayed religious
characters, myths, or landscapes. His work helped spread the Renaissance influence
and the realism style throughout Europe. He also influenced Han Holbein, another
German artist.
Elizabeth I- (born 1533) She was the queen of England from 1558 to 1603, she
returned England to Protestantism and created the Church of England or the
Anglican Church. She also supported the English Renaissance in the mid-1500s

including Shakespeare. She contributed to the Reformation by rejecting the Roman

Catholics and creating the Church of England, this pleased moderate Protestants &
Catholics.

Desiderius Erasmus- (1509) A Dutch Christian humanist who was a Northern

Renaissance scholar, he is known for writing The Praise of Folly. He believed that
Christianity at heart is more important than ceremonies or rules and that studying
the bible will improve society. He believed in reform of the church because the
church needed to focus on religious duties and the bible instead of sacraments.
Johann Gutenburg- (1440) A German craftsman who developed the first printing
press that could produce books cheaply and quickly, his first book was the
Gutenburg bible. His invention allowed more information to be available and cheap
for society, more literacy in Europe, and an increased need for learning and
education among society
Leonardo da Vinci- (born 1452) An Italian painter, sculptor, inventor, and scientist,
he is known as the true Renaissance man because he excelled in many subjects
and was a fantastic artist. He is well known for his painting Mona Lisa and The
Last Supper, he also created many notebooks of his observations and studies. His
discoveries were a major influence in the development of future technologies such
as advanced infrastructure and airplanes. He also established the true idea of a
Renaissance man for his achievements.
Machiavelli- (1513) An Italian statesman and author who wrote The Prince, this
illustrated the ideas of what makes a powerful and effective ruler. He believed that a
ruler must be strong and intelligent, and appear kind and wise. He introduced many
political ideas which were used after his time and established his idea that one
should rule with an iron hand in a velvet glove.
Medici Family- They were a powerful banking family which took control of Florence
in 1434. Because of their wealth, they were patrons of the Renaissance and
commissioned many artists and beautified Italy.
Michelangelo Buonarroti- (born 1475) He was an Italian (Florentine) sculptor,
painter, poet, and architect; who used a realistic style when illustrating the human
body. He is well known for painting the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel and his painting
The Last Judgment. By painting and sculpting the human body realistically, he
established the technique of perspective in paintings.
Sir Thomas More- An English Christian humanist who wrote Utopia, a book who
illustrated his ideal world to live in. His writings were then translated to many

languages after becoming popular. He was beheaded by Henry VIII for refusing to
join the Church of England because of his devout Catholicism.
Francesco Petrarch- (1304) An Italian poet, scholar, and humanist who is called the
father of Renaissance humanism. This is because he wrote in the vernacular or his
native language, Italian, as well as Latin. He was one of the first people to spread
the idea of humanism and writing in the vernacular by encouraging people to study
literature and philosophy of the past.
Raphael- (born 1483) An Italian painter and architect who advanced realism in
paintings by his use of perspective, his is renowned for his painting School of
Athens which showed the classical influence on the Renaissance. His art illustrated
secular ideas by painting humans realistically, layered backgrounds, & his depiction
of detailed emotion. He is one of the three greatest artists of the Renaissance.

William Shakespeare- (born 1564) An English playwright, poet, and author during
the Elizabethan Age. His works were heavily inspired by Roman and Greek literature
and showcases secular themes like love, human nature, and relationships. He is well
known for Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, A Midsummers Night Dream,
and more.
Jan van Eyck- (born 1390) A Flemish painter who developed many oil painting
techniques that are still used by modern painters. His painters were very realistic
and used subtle colors to bring out detail. His paintings were secular and tend to
focus on people and their personalities. He is well known for his painting the
Arnolfini Portrait.
Italian Renaissance vs. Northern Renaissance- The Northern Renaissance was
centered on Eastern Europe and emphasized the lives of peasants. They also
created new technologies and had more Christian humanism; eventually they began
the Reformation and Protestantism. The Southern Renaissance focused on art and
culture and Roman and Greek ideals. The Italian Renaissance was centered in the
South of Europe and the wealthy class, they were also mostly Roman Catholic.
Renaissance Man- In the Renaissance, he would be a gentleman who was talented
in many fields such as music, art, dancing, and writing. He was also very intellectual
and could speak many different languages. Leonardo da Vinci was considered to be
the true Renaissance man because of his achievements. The hope of becoming a
Renaissance man was humanist ideal and was desired by everyone.
Annul(ment)- To cancel or declare invalid such as a marriage. Henry VIII had the
Church annul his marriage with Catherine because he needed to have a son as his
heir because of past turmoil among England. He later reformed the parliament
which ended the Popes authority in England, he then married Anne Boelyn.

Excommunicate- To banish a person from a membership of the Church. Pope Leo X

excommunicated Martin Luther from the Catholic Church after he posted his 95
Theses for heresy.
Heretic- One who has an unorthodox opinion that is contradicting or controversial to
the Churchs teachings. Many Protestant followers and reformers were declared
heretics of the Catholic church and executed or excommunicated, like Martin Luther
or Jan Huss.
Indulgences- A pardon given by the church for a sin, they were usually rewarded for
doing good works but after the Church needed money, they began to sell them.
Martin Luther was highly against the selling of indulgences and wrote the 95 theses
attacking them. They were eventually not allowed to be sold after the Council of
Trent.
Nepotism- Appointing high positions to relatives. This was one of the religious
reasons why many people were discontent of the Churchs authority among the
clergy.
Predestination- The belief that God has decided all things already including
salvation. This was written in a doctrine by John Calvin, and is a main belief in
Calvinism. This also led the Protestant work ethic because of the belief that those
who currently have a hardworking and rewarding life are part of the elect or those
who will be saved.
Recant- A formal retraction of a statement that was committed to before. After
Martin Luther posted his 95 theses, the Catholic Church gave him a change to take
back his statements and retain his position as a monk. Martin Luther refused and
was excommunicated from the Holy Roman Empire.
Sacraments- A sacred ceremony of significance among the Catholic Church, these
include baptism, marriage, and communion. Martin Luther rejected these Church
ceremonies and said that they were not valid and not part of the bible. His values
revolved around the bible and believed that it is more important to live by faith.
Salvation- The redemption after death of being taken to heaven. The Catholic
Church believed that to reach salvation, one must do good works. Martin Luther
however believed that salvation came in faith.
Sect- Groups or branches of different religions among a single religion such as
Roman Catholicism or Lutheranism. Luther and his followers created Protestantism
which has many sects among itself.
Simony- The selling of church positions or to have rituals performed by paying a
priest. Many people criticized the church of such act which then led to the
Reformation of Christianity.

Theocracy- A government ruled by a religious authority. John Calvin, a reformer,

believed that the best political structure was ruled by the church. His city, Geneva,
was a model city with strict values governed by a theocracy.
Usury- The practice of banking and making a profit by charging interest at a very
high rate. This was one of the economic causes of the Reformation. People did not
understand why the church was wealthy while the people were poor and expected
to give money to the church.
Anabaptists- A radical reformation movement that believed that people should be
baptized as an adult when they choose to be Christian. They were persecuted by
the Catholic Church as well as Protestants because of their radical and unorthodox
views.
Anne Boelyn- The second wife (Protestant) of Henry VIII who gave birth to Elizabeth.
Henry VIII married her after he created the Church of England and validated his
divorce from Catherine of Aragon. This was when England broke away from the
papacys control.
John Calvin- A Swiss reformer who established his ideas of predestination or the
belief that God has decided everything including salvation, these people chosen to
be saved were called the elect. After being persecuted in his country, he moved to
Geneva where he was invited to set up a theocracy. Geneva became the model city
of Calvinism because of their strict and pious lives. He expanded the teachings of
Luther and Protestantism.
Catherine of Aragon- She was Henry VIIIs first wife. After she gave birth to Mary (a
Catholic), Henry VIII decided to divorce her in order to remarry and have a son for
an heir to his throne in England. Henry VIII established the Church of England and
declared England free from the Popes control over the church in order to divorce
Catherine and marry Anne Boelyn.
Charles V- He was the King of Spain and the Holy Roman Emperor during the
Reformation and a devout Catholic. After the Protestantism began, he called for the
Council of Trent which started the Catholic Reformation or the Counter Reformation.
At the Peace of Augsburg, he legalized Protestantism and allow the ruler to choose
the religion of their local lands. He eventually retires and splits his empire with his
two sons, including Phillip II, thus the empire is no longer united.
Edward VI- The son of Jan Seymour and Henry VIII. He began ruling at the age of 9
and had advisors rule for him because he was too young and sickly to rule. England
remains Protestant during his short lived rule.
Elizabeth I- The daughter of Anne Boelyn and Henry VIII, after Marys rule, she
reinstated the Church of England (or Anglican Church) and made it the official
religion of England. She added Catholic and Protestant rituals and services in order

to appease both moderate sides. Although Henry VIII created the foundation for the
Church of England, Elizabeth instituted it and made it official.
Henry VIII- The King of England during the Reformation, after Catherine of Aragon
does not give birth to a son, he asks Pope Clement VII to annul his marriage.
However, the Pope doesnt annul the marriage because of Catherines nephew,
Charles V, who has been defending Catholicism. Henry VIII then left the Catholic
Church and created the Act of Supremacy which established a new Church, the
Church of England, and condemns Catholicism. Although England is no longer
Catholic, they retain some Catholic rituals but are no longer under the power of the
Pope.
Henry IV of Navarre- King of France from 1589-1610. After his wedding feast in Paris,
the St. Bartholomews Day massacre began and about 20,000 Huguenots were
killed. He converted to Catholicism for France (Paris is worth a Mass) and
instituted the Edict of Nantes which allowed religious freedom, which was short
lived and removed by his sons eventually.
Huguenots- French Protestants. About 20,000 of them were killed in the massacre of
Sts Bartholomews Day after the Catholic feast. They enjoyed short lived religious
freedom after Henry IV passed the Edict of Nantes.
Jan Hus- A Czechoslovakian reformer who wanted authority over their personal
relationship with God. He and John Wycliffe were one of the first people to challenge
the Catholic Churchs authority before Martin Luther.
Ignatius of Loyola- A Spanish Saint who founded the Society of Jesus which was
made of the Jesuits. They spread Catholicism by sending missionaries, founded
universities, and tried to make Church more pleasant and lively.
Jesuits- They were created by Ignatius of Loyola and confirmed by the Pope in 1540.
They spread Catholicism by sending missionaries, founded universities, and made
churches more pleasant and open. They tried to fight the reformation by trying to
stop the spread of Protestantism and regain the areas lost to Protestantism.

John Knox- A Scottish preacher who established Calvins ideas by changing the
Church organization, his followers are known as Presbyterians. He was one of the
leaders of the Scottish reformation and established Calvins ideas in a working
Church system which is known as Presbyterianism.
Martin Luther- German leading reformer who had a revelation that faith, not work,
will give him salvation. He wanted the church to stop selling indulgences and
demanded reform. He posted the 95 theses which attacked the sale of indulgences.
He was the leading reformer who defied the Catholic Churchs authority and was
excommunicated, he then created Protestantism.

Presbyterians- Followers of John Knox after his reforms based on Calvins ideas. It is
a system of Church government which was governed by Elders or presbyters.
Puritans- A group of radical English Protestants who saw the Reformation of the
Church of England invalid and wanted to control worship and religion.
Johann Tetzel- A friar who sold indulgences in order to earn money to rebuild St.
Peters Cathedral, he made the idea that buying indulgences will buy them into
heaven. Martin Luther was against Tetzels actions and wrote the 95 Theses which
attacked the selling of indulgences.
Mary Tudor-The daughter of Catherine of Aragon and Henry VIII, after being thrown
out from Henry and Catherines divorce, she is crowned Queen after Edward VI.
Angered by Henrys actions, she reinstates Catholicism and declares the Church of
England invalid, she persecutes many Protestants. After her death, Elizabeth I is
crowned and returns England to the Church of England or the Anglican Church.
John Wycliffe- An English reformer who believed that the Pope should be religious
not political, and that the people should be able to interpret the bible themselves.
He also believed that the bible should be accessible to all people and be written in
the vernacular. His beliefs were the foundation before the Reformation and he was
one of the first people to challenge the churchs authority.
Act of Supremacy- An act that declared Henry VIII the head of the Church of England
not the Pope. This established the Church of England independent from the Catholic
Church; the Church of England still retained many Catholic rituals and sacraments.
Council of Trent- (1545-1563) As a response to the Protestant Churches, many
important religious officials met and decided on several Protestant reforms in order
to keep followers and bring back Protestants. They decided that fate and good
works leads you to salvation, Priests must go through Seminary or training, and
established a list of forbidden works (including Galileo). They also banned the sale
of indulgences but earning indulgences are still upheld.
Counter Reformation (Catholic Reformation)-It was begun in response to Protestant
reforms and to keep followers and bring back Protestants. The Council of Trent was
held and established many Catholic guidelines. The Inquisition was also begun and
the Jesuits were established by Ignatius of Loyola.

Diet of Worms- Charles V established this assembly to make Luther an outlaw and
heretic after the Pope wanted Luther to be an outsider of the church. He also
banished Luther from the Holy Roman Empire. Frederick of Saxony housed Luther in
his castle, while the printing press spread Luthers ideas quickly.

Edict of Nantes- It was granted by Henry IV of France after he converted to

Catholicism. It gave religious freedom or tolerance to Protestants or Huguenots and
allowed them to practice their own fate. This however was short lived and
eventually retracted by Henrys sons.
Great Schism- Also known as the Papal Schism, two different men claimed to be the
real Pope, one from Rome and one from France. There was much infighting and
disagreement among the two authorities and the Catholic Church. It was also
believed that the Pope of France was serving France not Catholicism because of
Frances political power. It caused much tension and fighting among the Church and
led them to not being united, which allowed the Reformation to take place years
later.
Index of Prohibited Books- A list of forbidden works in Catholicism was established
at the Council of Trent. These works were accused of heretic ideas that contradicted
the teachings of the Church which included Luthers works, John Miltons writings,
and even Galileos scientific discoveries. This increased stricter guidelines and
discipline among Catholics and helped prevented the spread of Protestantism.
Inquisition- A court established during the Catholic Reformation that allowed people
to recant their heresy or sins in order to be cleansed of their sins, if not, they were
excommunicated or executed. It was originally done with Jewish and Muslim people
but now with Protestants. This was an attempt of the Catholic Church to stop the
spread of Protestantism but Protestants remained strong.
95 Theses- They were Martin Luthers writings after Johann Tetzel sold indulgences
and gave the idea that you could buy your way to heaven. He also addressed many
hierarchy issues among in the document; it was the foundation of the Reformation
and challenging Catholic Churches.
Peace of Augsburg- Charles V established called for a meeting after fighting among
countries about Protestantism and Catholicism, he decided that the rulers of their
local lands will decide the religion of their area. This put a stop to the fighting
among countries and some of the prosecution of Protestants.
Peace of Westphalia- A peace treaty that was signed at the end of the Thirty Years
War, it finally acknowledges the Peace of Augsburg and allowed the rulers to choose
the religion of their region.
Peasants Revolt- (1524) After Luthers ideas of Christian freedom, peasants revolted
and attacked monasteries and religious areas, Luther then told the German princes
to stop the revolt which killed nearly 100,000 people. The peasants felt betrayed
and rejected Luthers ideas and leadership.
Thirty Years War- (1618-1648) A complex war that started as a religious conflict of
Protestants against Catholics which turned to political conflict over power. It led to

strange alliances and moved towards issues of balance of power, for example,
Catholic France and Protestant countries allied to fight Hapsburgs (Catholic) power.
It ended with the Peace of Westphalia which acknowledged the Peace of Augsburg
and allowed rulers to choose the religion for their country.