EXPLORE THE EARLY MODERN WORLD
Early Modern History
Explore the centuries of Renaissance culture, religious upheaval, global exploration, state-building and scientific change that connected the medieval and modern worlds.
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Essential reading
What Was the Renaissance?
A complete guide to Renaissance origins, humanism, art, patronage, printing and the major figures who reshaped European culture.
Renaissance Humanism
Petrarch, classical texts, rhetoric, education, civic life and the intellectual movement that shaped Renaissance Europe.
English Civil War
Causes, Parliament, Charles I, the New Model Army, Cromwell, regicide and the road to Restoration.
LATEST STORIES
Explore Early Modern History
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The Enlightenment (c. 1680–1789): Ideas, Philosophers and Impact
The Enlightenment explained: its main ideas, philosophers, salons, the Encyclopédie, political rights, criticisms and a dated timeline from the Scientific Revolution onward.
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Scientific Revolution (1543–1687): Discoveries, Scientists and Timeline
Explore the Scientific Revolution, 1543–1687: Copernicus, Galileo, Kepler, Vesalius, Harvey, Boyle, Newton, discoveries, experiments and a chronological timeline.
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French Wars of Religion (1562–1598): Causes, Massacres and Edict of Nantes
French Wars of Religion (1562–1598) explained: why Catholics and Huguenots fought, Saint Bartholomew’s Day, Henry IV and the Edict of Nantes.
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Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648): Causes, Timeline and Peace of Westphalia
The Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648): causes, the Defenestration of Prague, phases and battles, civilian losses and how the Peace of Westphalia changed Europe.
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Council of Trent (1545–1563): Catholic Reformation and Decisions
Council of Trent (1545–1563) explained: key dates, Catholic doctrines, reforms to seminaries and bishops, the Tametsi marriage decree, indulgences and long-term legacy.
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Martin Luther and the Reformation: 95 Theses, Timeline and Impact
What were Martin Luther’s 95 Theses? Explore indulgences, the 1517 dispute, Worms, printing, the Peasants’ War and the causes and impact of the Protestant Reformation.
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Gutenberg Printing Press: How It Worked and Changed Europe
How did Gutenberg’s printing press work? Learn about the metal type, ink, 1455 Gutenberg Bible, older printing in Korea, Caxton and the spread of print in Europe.
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Renaissance Art: Characteristics, Artists and Famous Works
What made Renaissance art different? Explore linear perspective, realism, anatomy, classical influence, patronage, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael, Botticelli and famous Renaissance works.
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Renaissance Humanism: Meaning, Petrarch, Ideas and Education
What was Renaissance humanism? Explore Petrarch, the studia humanitatis, classical education, rhetoric, Greek learning, civic humanism, printing and its impact on Renaissance Europe.
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What Was the Renaissance? Meaning, Timeline, Humanism and Art
What was the Renaissance and why did it begin in Italy? Explore its timeline, humanism, art, major figures, printing, patronage and impact on European history.
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English Civil War: Causes, Parliament, Charles I and Timeline
Why did the English Civil War begin? Explore Charles I, Parliament, ship money, religion, the New Model Army, Cromwell, the king’s execution and the road to Restoration.
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Absolute Monarchy in Early Stuart England: James I, Charles I and Parliament
Was early Stuart England an absolute monarchy? Explore divine right, James I, Charles I, Parliament, Ship Money, religion, social hierarchy, the gentry and the road to civil war.
