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The Early Modern Period (1450–1700) was a period of cultural, economic and political change that affected modern society in Britain and Europe. At the heart of this transformation was the Renaissance movement, which revived interest in ancient Greek and Roman art, architecture and literature and laid the foundations for new ways of thinking. (Tamaqua K-12, n.d.).

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The Movement That Changed Christianity and Europe

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Martin Luther was the key figure of the Reformation.

His actions became a symbol of this transformative period and radically changed the religious landscape of Europe.

“Luther's great contribution to the Reformation was not merely theological. It was his courage to stand before the might of the Roman Church and challenge its power in the name of a higher authority, that of the Bible."

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British architecture during this period shifted from Gothic to classical styles, incorporating symmetry and proportion. Grand estates like Longleat House and Hardwick Hall reflected Renaissance elegance, blending English craftsmanship with European artistic movements (JSTOR, n.d.).

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During this period (1450–1700), art shifted from medieval styles to more realistic expressions. Portraiture, led by artists like Nicholas Hilliard, became central, reflecting subjects' status and personality. Symbolism played a key role, and European influences enriched the English art scene, laying the foundation for future developments in Britain (Oxford Bibliographies, n.d.; Live Science, n.d.)

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A famous example is his miniature portrait of Queen Elizabeth I, which showcases the fine detail and symbolism in Renaissance portraiture.

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The Ambassadors by Hans Holbein the Younge.  

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The Ambassadors by Hans Holbein the Younge.  

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This painting illustrates the Renaissance emphasis on realism and symbolism, which influenced English artists.

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To understand the Reformation, we first need to look at Europe in the early 16th century. At that time, the Catholic Church held almost total dominance in Europe. The Pope's authority was above that of kings, and the Church controlled nearly every aspect of social, political, and cultural life. However, corruption within the Church had reached alarming levels—senior clergy were living in luxury and sin.

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Humanist thinking during this period transformed literature, focusing on individual potential and classical sources. Famous writers like Shakespeare and Marlowe explored human nature in their works, drawing from ancient texts. Their works, infused with themes from ancient texts and a deep exploration of human nature, continue to captivate audiences centuries later (Tamaqua K-12, n.d.).

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In 1517, Luther posted his "95 Theses" on the door of the church in Wittenberg, Germany, directly challenging the Church’s indulgence system and exposing its corruption and errors. This act became the catalyst for the Reformation.

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European Exploration and Expanding Trade

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European Exploration and Expanding Trade

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As culture and ideas developed, European explorers expanded global connections by opening new trade routes to the Americas, Far East, and Pacific. This expansion led to capitalism and shifted economies from local to international markets (Wikipedia, n.d.). It also challenged absolute monarchies, setting the stage for a modern Europe (Wyles and Hall, 2016).

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the Reformation promoted the idea of intellectual freedom and the diversity of personal belief, laying the foundation for the later Enlightenment and the birth of modern democratic thought.

"The Reformation is the one great movement of the Christian Church in the modern age which shaped the history of Europe, and its legacy can be traced through centuries of social, political, and religious change."

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During the Early Modern Period and especially the Renaissance era British and European society experienced significant changes. After a return to classical thinking artists and writers created new works during this period. British culture evolved its own architectural and literary styles in addition to taking inspiration from European sources. Exploration and trade growth led to the development of capitalism which transformed international business practices. The Renaissance created the base for European intellectual and political growth which then influenced modern society (Tamaqua K-12, n.d.; JSTOR, n.d.; Wikipedia, n.d.; Wyles and Hall, 2016).

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The Reformation was not only a religious change but also an intellectual liberation. Thanks to the efforts of reformers like Luther, the freedom of faith spread more widely, and the diversity of Christian doctrine began to take shape.

Today, we can still see the far-reaching effects of the Reformation on the world. It not only changed the face of religion but also promoted social progress and intellectual liberation. It is these historical events that have shaped the diverse, free world we live in today.

"The Reformation did not merely break the power of the papacy, it reshaped Western culture, influencing everything from the rise of modern science to the development of democracy."

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JSTOR. (n.d.).    English Renaissance architecture. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org/

Tamaqua K-12. (n.d.) The Renaissance. https://www.tamaqua.k12.pa.us/cms/lib07/PA01000119/Centricity/Domain/119/TheRenaissance.pdf (Accessed: 27 April 2025).

Wyles, R. and Hall, E. (2016) ‘The English Renaissance: the British problem and the early modern archipelago’, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/227688503_The_English_Renaissance_the_British_problem_and_the_early_modern_archipelago(Accessed: 27 April 2025).

Wikipedia (n.d.) Early modern period. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_modern_period?utm_source=chatgpt.com (Accessed: 27 April 2025).

Oxford Bibliographies (n.d.) Renaissance in England. https://www.oxfordbibliographies.com/display/document/obo-9780195399301/obo-9780195399301-0149.xml (Accessed: 27 April 2025).

Wikipedia. (n.d.). The Ambassadors (Holbein). Retrieved March 23, 2025, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Ambassadors_(Holbein)

Liverpool Museums. (n.d.). Portrait of Queen Elizabeth I. Retrieved from https://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/artifact/portrait-of-queen-elizabeth-i

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1. Bainton, R. (1950). Martin Luther and the origins of the Reformation. Beacon Press.

2.Schaff, P. (1894). A history of the Reformation. Charles Scribner's Sons.

3.Gregory, B. S. (2012). The Reformation and the birth of Western culture. Harvard University Press.