© Pearson Education, Inc., or its affiliates. All rights reserved.HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES • FOCUS PERIOD: 1485–
Renaissance and Reformation:
A Changing England
Voices of the Period
“And therefore I am come amongst you at this
time, not as for my recreation or sport, but being
resolved, in the midst and heat of the battle, to
live or die amongst you all; to lay down, for my
God, and for my kingdom, and for my people,
my honor and my blood, even the dust. I know I
have but the body of a weak and feeble woman;
but I have the heart of a king, and of a king of
England, too.”
—Elizabeth I, Queen of England”If you want to change the world, pick up your
pen and write.”
—Martin Luther, theologian and religious reformer“For whosoever commands the sea commands
the trade; whosoever commands the trade of the
world commands the riches of the world, and
consequently the world itself.”
—Sir Walter Raleigh, explorer
from “A Discourse of the Invention of Ships,
Anchors, Compass, &c.”History of the Period
The Tudors In 1485, Henry Tudor became King
Henry VII, ending a civil war between the House
of York and the House of Lancaster. Though
Henry’s claim to the throne was questionable, he
brought stability to the country through his strong
leadership. He also established a royal line that
had a profound effect on history.
Henry Tudor’s son, Henry VIII, was one of the
great monarchs in English history. He presided
over turbulent social and political changes.
The Protestant Reformation The Reformation,
a reaction against what many perceived as
corruption in the Catholic Church, was inspired
by religious thinkers who wanted to return to
what they saw as a purer form of Christianity.
The German theologian Martin Luther initiated
the movement, which led to the founding of
Protestantism. Luther believed that the Bible,
rather than the Pope, was the source of spiritual
authority. He considered faith alone, rather
than faith and good works, to be necessary for
salvation. Henry VIII wrote a book attacking
Luther’s beliefs. For this, Pope Leo X named the
Catholic Henry “Defender of the Faith.”
In 1534, however, Henry VIII made England a
Protestant country. Henry had married his older
brother’s widow, Catherine of Aragon, who boreTIMELINE1485
1485: Henry VII becomes
the first Tudor king.
1503: Italy Leonardo da Vinci
paints Mona Lisa.1492: Bahamas
Columbus lands in
Western Hemisphere.1509: Italy Michelangelo paints
ceiling of Sistine Chapel.246 UNIT 3 • FacINg The FUTUre, coNFroNTINg The PasTLIT17_SE12_U03_A_WC_LC.indd 246 20/03/16 12:39 AMTEACHING
Historical PersPectives
Renaissance and Reformation:
A Changing England
This section analyzes the key events of the
Focus Period: the end of civil war in England,
the Protestant Reformation, the growth of trade
and cities, the rise of the “Golden Age” under
Queen Elizabeth I, and the establishment of the
first colonies in America. Have students connect
these key events with the unit theme: Facing the
Future, Confronting the Past.Voices of the Period
Ask students what Martin Luther meant when
he said, “If you want to change the world, pick
up your pen and write.” Remind them that
King Henry VIII was also a writer, in defense
of the Catholic Church among other things,
and that the Queen Elizabeth was an eloquent
speaker. Ask students if they agree with Martin
Luther’s quote and have them support their
opinions with examples. Point out that this time
period was marked also by the invention of
the printing press. Ask this question to prompt
discussion: What effect on the world might the
introduction of the printing press have had?History of the Period
Tell students that this period was marred by
bloody religious persecutions, with each new king
or queen establishing his or her own religious
preference as a new “national religion.” This
all-encompassing power resulted in the slaughter
of followers of the previous ruler’s religion,
with the consequence that each coronation
was accompanied by the death of many English
people. Oftentimes, a change in religion was
for personal reasons, such as King Henry VIII’s
desire to obtain a divorce. He ordered that all
English subjects follow a new religion that suited
his needs. Those who did not follow this order
would be put to death. Ask students what other
motivations might have caused radical decisions
and what lessons the founders of the United
States may have learned from England’s past.PERSONALIZE FOR LEARNING
Strategic Support
Background Knowledge Explain to students that the Reformation
extended across Europe, not just throughout England. It was full
of intrigue and upheaval that splintered the continent. If students
are struggling to understand the issues involved in the Protestant
Reformation described in the third and fourth paragraphs, have them
research the period online and write a summary of their findings.246 UNIT 3 • FACING THE FUTURE, CONFRONTING THE PAST
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