Renaissance and Reformation Timeline

The Renaissance Begins

1300

While the actual start of the Renaissance is somewhat murky, it began around 1300. This marked the end of the Middle Ages and the beginning of Europe as we know it, a revival of Greco-Roman thought, the rise of urbanization, and an artistic revolution. Citation: Moser Notes

Petrarch

Jul 10, 1304

Born in 1304, he is often credited with the initiation of the 14th century Renaissance. He is also considered to be the founder of Renaissance Humanism. He was a poet and his sonnets became a model of lyrical poetry. He was also the first to develop the idea of the Dark Ages. Citation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petrarch

Papacy Moved to Avignon

Mar 9, 1309

Pope Clement V moved the papacy to the city of Avignon in France after he refused to move to Rome. Seven Popes reigned within Avignon, all of whom were French. Citation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avignon_Papacy

The Divine Comedy

1320

Completed only a single year before the death of it's author Dante Alighieri the Divine Comedy is a legendary poem and one of the preeminent works of Italian literature. The poem is divided into three sections, Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The poems describes the travels through Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise. Citation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Divine_Comedy

John Wycliffe

1330

Born in 1330, John Wycliffe was a critic of the of the practice and belief of Papal Infallibility, the concept that the Pope's word was absolute on theological matters when declared to be as such. He claimed that the Pope had no such authority. Citation: Moser Notes

Hundred Years war

Period: May 23, 1337 to Oct 19, 1453

The war of succession of the throne of the Kingdom of France between house Valois of France, and Plantagenet of England. Citation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hundred_Years%27_War

Humanism

1350

Renaissance Humanism was the study of classical thought, derived primarily from Greek and Roman manuscripts. Humanism was an intellectual movement that focused more upon the human form, and fine arts, rather than the strict theological stances of the Middle-Ages. Humanist thought was developed over a wide span of time, but the earliest may be attributed to Petrarch in the mid 1300's. Citation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance_humanism

Jan Hus

1370

Born in 1370, Jan Hus was a critic of the Catholic Church's vast wealth and how the clergy failed to adhere to their vows of poverty. Citation: Moser Notes

The Papacy Moved Back to Rome

1377

Pope Gregory moved the Papacy back to Rome from Avignon. Ending French domination of the Catholic Church, and restoring Rome to it's former prestige. Citation: Moser Notes, https://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/pape/hd_pape.htm

Fillippo Brunelleschi

1377

Born in 1377, he was an Italian architect and is considered to be the first modern engineer. He is known for developing the technique of linear perspective and building the dome for the Florence Cathedral. Citation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Filippo_Brunelleschi

Donatello

1386

Born on 1386 in Florence, he was an Italian sculptor creating works such as the statue of David and St. Mark. Citation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donatello

The Canterbury Tales

1387

This work of literature is a collection of 24 stories. The stories detail the travel of a group of English pilgrims as they attempt to travel to the shrine of Saint Thomas Becket. This was written by Geoffrey Chaucer. Citation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Canterbury_Tales

Cosimo de'Medici

Sep 27, 1389

Cosimo de'Medici was the head of the fantastically powerful Medici family, the lead bankers of all of Europe, he was the defacto lord of the Italian city-state of Florence. He was also a generous patron of the arts, spending a significant chunk of the family fortune on artistic and cultural improvement ventures. He was born on september the ninth, 1389. Citation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosimo_de%27_Medici#Arts

The Book of the City of Ladies

1405

Le Livre de la Cite des Dames was written by Christine de Pizan and is her most famous work. The book is about an allegorical city of women, with the book itself being the city. The book cites famous women throughout history as arguments to women being valuable members of society and advocates for education for women. Citation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Book_of_the_City_of_Ladies

Mechanical Clock Invented

1410

The Mechanical Clock, invented by Filippo Brunelleschi. Citation: http://www.inventionware.com/renaissance-inventions/

Printing Press Invented

1436

The printing Press, developed by one Johannes Gutenberg, was a significant technological advancement that aided the spread of the Protestant Reformation and the spread of Renaissance thought. Citation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Printing_press

Leonardo da Vinci

Apr 15, 1452

Born in 1452, he was a genuine Renaissance Man, and is considered to be one of the greatest painters of all time.

Heliocentrism

1453

Nicolaus Copernicus, while not the first to describe heliocentrism, was the one to more formally introduce it to the Renaissance age. His book on the subject was published the same year he died. Citation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolaus_Copernicus#Heliocentrism

Fall of Byzantium

May 29, 1453

The last remanent of the Roman Empire fell to the Ottomans, on this day Constantinople was captured, and the Emperor slain. Citation: http://www.history.com/topics/ancient-history/byzantine-empire

Viols

1460

A musical instrument comparable to a cello, the instrument was developed in the mid-late 1400's. They were first developed within Spain and were very popular during the Renaissance. Viols are played in an upright position with the instrument being held in between the players legs. Citation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viol

Desiderius Erasmus

1469

Born in 1469, he was a critic of corruption within the Catholic Church. Citation: Moser Notes

Michelangelo

Mar 6, 1475

A famous painter, sculptor, and poet, he was born in 1475. He is most famous for the statue of David, the painting of the Creation of Adam. Citation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelangelo

Birth of Martin Luther

Nov 10, 1483

Martin Luther, the father of the Protestant Reformation, the founder of Lutheranism was born in Eisleben, Germany. Citation: Moser Notes, http://www.luther.de/en/leben/

Parachute Invented

1485

This primitive parachute design was finalized by da Vinci. Citation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parachute#Invention

Francis I

Sep 12, 1494

The King of France, he was a great patron of the arts and the initiator of the French Renaissance. He made many important changes to the state of France and it's culture, he gave rise to absolutism, and encouraged the spread of Protestantism and Humanism. Born in 1494, he reigned as King of France from 1515-1547, and died on the 31st of March 1547. Citation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_I_of_France

The Last Supper

1495

Created by Leonardo da Vinci, the Last Supper depicts the Christian Last Supper. This painting is a fresco and was located in the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, in Milan. Due to the paintings location and method of painting it began to rapidly deteriorate after it was finished, after only a few centuries, it was utterly ruined. The wall that is was painted on was later destroyed.

Mona Lisa

1504

While the exact date of the creation of this legendary portrait is unknown, it was created sometime between 1503-1506, however work on it may have continued until 1517. This was created by the famous Leonardo da Vinci, and is believed to be a painting of Lisa Gherardini. It is also the most valuable painting in the world. Citation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mona_Lisa

Andreas Vesalius

Dec 31, 1514

Considered to be the founder of modern human anatomical study, he published his findings on the human body in "On the fabric of the human body in seven books." The book was published in 1543. Citation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andreas_Vesalius

95 Theses

1517

The 95 Theses are nailed to the door of the Wittenberg Cathedral. Citation: Moser Notes, http://www.luther.de/en/leben/

Martin Luther Excommunicated

Jan 1, 1521

Martin Luther was excommunicated from the Catholic Church on charges of heresy. Citation: Moser Notes

German Bible Published

1531

A complete German translation of the New Testemant was published. Citation: http://www.luther.de/en/leben/

Death of Martin Luther

Feb 18, 1546

Martin Luther dies in Eisleben. The death of Martin Luther was a great blow to Protestantism but regardless of his death the movement that he created was not going to be stopped. As Protestant beliefs continued to spread throughout Europe. Citation: Moser Notes, http://www.luther.de/en/leben/

Dulcian

1550

The dulcian was a woodwind instrument and a predecessor of the modern day bassoon. It was most popular between 1550 and 1700. However it was most likely developed far before this time period. Citation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dulcian

Microscope Invented

1590

Created by Hans Janssen and further improved by Hans's son, Zacharias Janssen. Citation: http://www.inventionware.com/renaissance-inventions/

Flush Toilet Invented

1596

Brought to the Renaissance era by one Sir John Harrington. As more primitive versions were already in existence. Citation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flush_toilet#Development_of_the_flush_toilet

The Renaissance Ends

Jan 1, 1600

The Renaissance brought about many great changes to European society and had many great events happen during it's time. The demise of the Renaissance led way to the Age of Discovery. Citation: Moser Notes, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_time_periods#Europe_Periods