Northern Renaissance

Invention of printing press

Jan 1, 1440

Invention of guttenbergs printing press.A printing press is a device for applying pressure to an inked surface resting upon a print medium, thereby transferring the ink.

Hundred year's war ends

Jan 1, 1453

The attempt by Talbot to retake Gascony, though initially welcomed by the locals, was crushed by Jean Bureau and his cannon at the Battle of Castillon in 1453 where Talbot had led a small Anglo-Gascon force in a frontal attack on an entrenched camp. This is considered the last battle of the Hundred Years' War.

Northern Renaissance Begins

Jan 1, 1453

By the end of the Hundred Years War, in 1453, changes in art, literature and philosophy were brewing in Northern Europe. In France, King Francis I imported Italian art, commissioned Italian artists (including Leonardo da Vinci), and built grand palaces at great expense.

Guttenberg Bible is printed

Jan 1, 1455

It was the first major book printed with a movable type printing press, and marked the start of the "Gutenberg Revolution" and the age of the printed book.

French invade Italy

Oct 1, 1494

The French king decided to take the throne and invade Italy

Desiderius Erasmus writes "the praise of Folly"

Jan 1, 1509

In 1509, Erasmus wrote his most famous work, The Praise of Folly. This book made fun of greedy merchants, heartsick lovers, quarrelsome scholars, and pompous priests. Erasmus believed in a Christianity of the heart, not one of ceremonies or rules. He thought that in order to improve society, all people should study the Bible

Thomas More writes "Utopia"

Jan 1, 1515

Utopia is a classic masterpiece that conveys More's vivid imagination of the Island of Utopia.It is about the true values of European societies during the 16th century, when More actually wrote the book (although many scholars believe that the exact year was 1515).

Queen Elizabeth I begins her rule of England

Jan 1, 1558

1558 Queen Elizabeth I took over the crown and began to rule England.

William Shakespeare

Apr 23, 1564

Shakespeare was born in Stratford-upon-Avon, on April 23, 1564. He created a whole new image of plays and poetry. His greatest works were "Hamlet" and "Romeo and Juliet".

Death of Elizabeth I

Mar 24, 1603

Sometimes called The Virgin Queen, Gloriana, or Good Queen Bess, Elizabeth was the fifth and last monarch of the Tudor dynasty. In March, Elizabeth fell sick and remained in a "settled and unremovable melancholy".She died on 24 March 1603 at Richmond Palace, between two and three in the morning.